Do We Need The Ten Commandments?

June 28, 2009

In Exodus 19, God called Moses up to Mount Sinai and told him that if the children of Israel would obey Him and keep His covenant, they would be His special people. He then gave them “The Law,” which is also commonly known as the “Mosaic Law” or the “law of Moses.” Although the name was attributed to a man, we must be mindful that the One who gave it was God Himself. Moses was merely the “messenger boy.” James 4:12 makes it very clear that there is really only “one Lawgiver”—God.

The law consists of various parts. The most important portion is the Ten Commandments, also known as the “moral law,” as they express the morality, values and character of God. The commandments were engraved on stone tablets and are recorded in Exodus 20: 2-17 and Deuteronomy 5: 6-21. Because there are ten of them, they are also commonly called the “Decalogue” (Gr. dekalogos), which means the “ten words” or “ten pronouncements.”

Traditions differ in the numbering of the Ten Commandments. The standard listing according to Protestant Reformed tradition is as follows:
	I.	You shall have no other gods before Me.
	II.	You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
	III.	You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
	IV.	Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
	V.	Honor your father and your mother.
	VI.	You shall not murder.
	VII.	You shall not commit adultery.
	VIII.	You shall not steal.
	IX.	You shall not bear false witness.
	X.	You shall not covet.

Apart from these commandments, God gave Moses further instructions that governed the ethics and rituals of the Israelites. Augustine (354-430) divided the law of Moses into two parts: the moral and symbolical. For example, “you shall not covet” is a moral law; “you shall circumcise every male on the eighth day” is a symbolical law. To Augustine and the early Church fathers, the moral law of the Ten Commandments is still binding while the symbolical law is no longer binding. Besides circumcision and the sacrifices, Augustine categorizes as symbolical law the tabernacle regulations, the dietary laws, the feasts, etc. Because they are non-binding, he interprets the rules against blended clothing (wool and linen) and the mixed yoke (ox and ass) allegorically.

As always, Scripture must be compared with Scripture to avoid misinterpretation. It is clear that Jesus brought to an end the observance of the symbolical laws by His redemptive accomplishment. The entire sacrificial system and ceremonial washings were “external regulations applying until the time of the new order” (Heb. 9:10). These symbolical or topological law was “only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves” (Heb. 10:1), its regulations were set aside once the realities had arrived in Christ (Heb. 7:18-19, 22). Jesus ushered in the new order that made the ceremonial rituals redundant: “In that He says, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” (Heb. 8:13).

This moral/symbolical distinction eventually gave way to the more precise three-part analysis first worked out in detail by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). Aquinas says that the law of Moses is made up of moral, ceremonial and civil precepts. From the days of Aquinas to the Reformation, to our time, the Church has been consistent in teaching that only the moral law is still binding, all ceremonial and civil laws are no longer applicable to believers.

Yet, there is always the vocal minority who feel that since we are in the age of the Gospel, when we are justified by faith alone, the law is now “abolished,” or in theological jargon, “abrogated.”

In the June 21, 2009 issue of The Age, Cleric Francis McNab, the executive minister at St. Michael’s Uniting Church in Melbourne, Australia, says, “The Ten Commandments is one of the most negative documents ever written.”

In a recent May 11, 2009 blog entry, a prominent megachurch pastor says, “When you come under the law by trying to keep God’s commandments in order to be blessed, it will lead to death. There will be deadness in your marriage, ministry, health, career.”

The message is clear: the Ten Commandments are unnecessary, oppressive, and maybe even downright evil.

Then there are those who wrongly speculate that the Old Testament teaches “salvation by law” while the New Testament teaches “salvation by grace through faith.” Nothing can be further from the truth. Justifying faith originates in the Old Testament. The phrase, “the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17), which became the rallying cry of the Reformers in the 16th century, is really a concept that first appears in Habakkuk 2:4, an Old Testament Scripture. In Romans 4, Paul went through extraordinary length to explain that both the greatest Old Testament patriarch, Abraham, and the greatest Old Testament king, David, were themselves saved by faith, not by the works of the law.

This may come as a shock to you, but the whole purpose of the New Testament is to establish the law—the moral law of the Ten Commandments. Jesus says so Himself: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17). This statement does not mean that Christ has come to merely fulfill the messianic predictions contained in the old covenant. The Greek for “fulfill” is pleroo which means to expand, establish, strengthen, make firmer and fuller. Jesus wants us to have the true meaning of the law so that our understanding of it is not shallow or erroneous. And He demonstrates that masterfully in the Sermon on the Mount when He broadens and deepens what the commandments really mean when they say “you shall not murder,” or “you shall not commit adultery” (Matt. 5:21, 27).

Like Jesus, Paul says faith and law are not mutually exclusive. One doesn’t invalidate the other. Paul affirms the words of Christ by saying, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law” (Rom. 3:31). And how is the law established? It is established “not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart” (2 Cor. 3:3). Herein lies the difference between the two covenants. In the old covenant, the Ten Commandments was a set of external code written on stone tablets. But in the new covenant, the Holy Spirit writes those commandments in our hearts, and gives us the grace to live them out in our daily lives. This is not an afterthought of God but His original plan for the law from its very inception.

	But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people (Jer. 31:33).

The New Testament repeatedly confirms this. One such example is:

	For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people (Heb. 8:10).

This is really what the new covenant is—to have the law written in our hearts. And the way God does that is through the Holy Spirit, who Himself gives us the power to obey them.

	I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them (Ezek. 36:26-27).

	You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart (2 Cor. 3:2-3).

Think about it, if the moral law is unimportant to us in the new covenant, why then would the Holy Spirit even bother to write it into our hearts?

This is the whole argument of Paul when he says, “So now we can obey God’s laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 8:4 TLB). So in the new covenant, we are still serving the law, but we are serving “in the newness of the Spirit” because we want to, not because we have to! We serve not out of fear because the law is our burdensome master, but out of love because Christ is now our Lord. It is no longer a hope of obedience leading to salvation but rather, salvation leading to obedience.

To confirm their validity, all the Ten Commandments are expounded time and again throughout the epistles:
	Commandment I	1 Corinthians 8:6
	Commandment II	1 John 5:21
	Commandment III	1 Timothy 6:1
	Commandment IV	Hebrew 4:3-11
	Commandment V	Ephesians 6:2
	Commandment VI	1 John 3:15
	Commandment VII	Galatians 5:19
	Commandment VIII	Ephesians 4:28
	Commandment IX	Romans 13:9
	Commandment X	Colossians 3:5

The Reformers made it a point to emphasize the need for the Ten Commandments in Christian growth and discipleship. John Calvin (1509-1564) says that “even the believers have need of the law.” Calvin teaches that the moral law helps the believers in two ways: (a) to make daily progress in doing the will of God, and (b) to encourage the believer how to live a life of obedience. Calvin quotes Psalm 1:2 that a Christian’s “delight is in the law of the Lord” and Psalm 19:7 that “the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.”

Martin Luther (1483-1546), the original pioneer of the Reformation, fought with those who despised the Ten Commandments. He coined the term, “antinomianism,” which the Oxford Dictionary defines as “a belief that Christians are released by grace from obeying moral laws.” This was the first major theological controversy in Protestant history. In 1577, to counter the antinomians who were rubbishing the Ten Commandments, the Lutherans wrote in the Formula of Concord the following statements:

	“Thereafter the Holy Ghost employs the law so as to teach the regenerate from it, and to point out and show them in the Ten Commandments what is ‘the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God’ (Rom. 12:2) and ‘what good works God hath before ordained that they should walk in’ (Eph. 2:10).”

To the Reformers, the Ten Commandments was an absolute necessity for sanctification and discipleship. As such, its validity and importance was repeatedly emphasized in documents like:

Helvetic Confession of the Reformed Church of Zurich (1566).
39 Articles of Religion of the Church of England (1571).
Irish Articles of Religion of the Church of Ireland (1615).
Methodist Articles of Religion (1784).
Westminster Confession of Faith (1647).
Savoy Declaration of the Congregational Churches (1658).
Baptist Confession of Philadelphia (1688).
French Confession of Faith (1559).
Belgic Confession (1561).
Scottish Confession of Faith (1559).
The Wittenberg Confession (16th Century).

As you can see, the Ten Commandments are viewed as vitally important to practically all mainstream, orthodox, Bible-believing churches—Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, Evangelical, Charismatic and Pentecostal churches.

The truth be told, supporters of the Ten Commandments are in the abundance. In his June 21, 2009 interview with Seattle Post, Dr. Billy Graham gives his view on why we need the Ten Commandments. Dr. Graham says, “We don’t keep the Ten Commandments in order to be saved; we keep them because we want to please God and bring honor to Him by the way we live. Jesus said, ‘If you love me, you will obey what I command’ (John 14:15).”

Well said. I rest my case.

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176 Responses to “Do We Need The Ten Commandments?”

watcher on June 28th, 2009 10:49 pm

“This is the whole argument of Paul when he says, “So now we can obey God’s laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 8:4 TLB). So in the new covenant, we are still serving the law, but we are serving “in the newness of the Spirit” because we want to, not because we have to! We serve not out of fear because the law is our burdensome master, but out of love because Christ is now our Lord. It is no longer a hope of obedience leading to salvation but rather, salvation leading to obedience. ”

but pastor, Christians all over the world, including prominent leaders/priests who teaches the above, are breaking the laws and living like faithless people , are you losing touch with reality and just stubbornly parroting after dead theologians?
Raymond Ling on June 28th, 2009 11:17 pm

Good:)
Ash on June 28th, 2009 11:26 pm

Good one, Pastor! I read the May 11 blog entry from the megachurch pst few days ago. Glad you gave such clear clarification to the rest of the people!! Indeed we have a super Pastor. You rock:)
sandy on June 28th, 2009 11:32 pm

Pastor Kong, indeed now we no longer need the commandments written on tablets, but it’s on our hearts. And that it is even more important that we take note and have initiative to obey them. As we’re living in the 21st century isn’t it? (: totally agree with your post! (:
Patrick on June 28th, 2009 11:35 pm

Well said and elaborated.. you never fail to make me stand in awe of you.. You rock pastor.. What you have explained is just what i needed .Take care pastor and God bless.
Chris on June 28th, 2009 11:38 pm

I would lean towards saying the Ten Commandments have been technically abolished… however, because they are out of the heart of God, they are still the way we should live. We are under a new law- the law of love, loveing God and loving people the way we would be loved. I believe walking that out looks very similar to someone walking in the law. Except it’s not a law. It’s wanting to please God and not wanting to sin.

For example, I don’t murder not because it breaks the Ten Commandments, but because it breaks the Royal Law of Love.
However, Commandment #4, says to honor the Sabbath day. If we do as Paul teaches and Sabbath on a different day than the Sabbath day of Satuday, then although it is not in-line with the Ten Commandments, it is in line with the New Covenant.

Yes, Jesus said the Law would not pass away until it had been fulfilled… But in that same breath He declared He WAS the fulfillment of the Law! He didn’t destroy it, he completed it, and now it’s over and something completely new. All of it.

Even Paul himself directly declared that he was not under the law.
Jere on June 28th, 2009 11:40 pm

I strongly advice against accusing my pastor, watcher…

Just because there’s a number of Christians that preaches one thing and living another another life doesn’t mean ALL the Christians do it. Please avoid generalization….

Adding to that, just because such Christians and leaders are leading such a life, does it mean we don’t follow what God teaches? Certainly not! On the contrary it should stir up our spirit to greater righteousness, greater purity, greater love for God.

And parroting after dead theologians? I think it’s call expounding on the truth and teaching it. I think it’s aptly called the truth, a message that more Christians should know that can change their life.

Good day.
Vincent Zachariah on June 28th, 2009 11:44 pm

Thank You Pastor! This is Awesome! :D
Chris on June 28th, 2009 11:46 pm

I’ll give an analogy:

If one country has a law that says “wear your seat-belt” and that government joins another country and they merge, and create a new, different, and better system of law that still includes “wear your seatbelt” are you still bound to the old law? No, you are bound to the new. Do you obey the old? No, you obey the new.
EDMUND on June 28th, 2009 11:57 pm

Dear Watcher

Are you out of your mind?!?

Living according to the 10 Commandments is sound biblical doctrine, regardless of whatever denomination u come from!

Are u suggesting that we go and sin wantonly just because a few people show how human they are!

I think the failure of man, just goes to prove how frail humans are, and how much more we need to lean on God!
Dan on June 29th, 2009 12:03 am

I think Kong is sadly mistaken abt the teachings of Grace & of course I know who he is referring to when he mentioned abt ‘a Pst of a megachurch’. Since Kong teaches so much abt obeying and keeping the law then pray tell me why is CHC one of the most hypocritical church one will ever come across? I’m sure many S’poreans wld agree with me on tis! A member by the name of Pauline Ng Baoying for example who claims to be a devout CHC member for ten years now often verbally abuses and even beats her father up and proudly tells plp of it. She also frequently curses her mother when she asks for her financial contribution to the family and even said she wishes they were dead! And tis just the tip of the iceberg, she has also been changing numerous jobs & CGs over the years due to the many disputes she has had with her employers & CGLs but is tolerated by the church due to her monetary contributions I suppose. All this preaching of the law by Kong dosen’t seem to be producing the holiness eh?
Passerby on June 29th, 2009 12:06 am

Hi Watcher,

“Christians all over the world, including prominent leaders/priests who teaches the above, are breaking the laws and living like faithless people , are you losing touch with reality and just stubbornly parroting after dead theologians?”

Are you a follower of God or a follower of the “if you can’t beat em’, join em’” group?

Your words seem to imply that because others are doing it, I can too. It’s like trying to find an excuse to justify sin don’t you think?
Passerby on June 29th, 2009 12:15 am

If everybody was perfect, we wouldn’t even need a church…

That’s why we need God to continue to teach us how to walk in His grace…

Regardless of monetary contribution or not, nobody should be kicked out of church. Plus, I do personally know people who have split personalities. I guess it ain’t easy to maintain such a huge congregation.
Dan on June 29th, 2009 12:19 am

And of course, needless to say the way in which she deals with & treats plp, she proudly declares that she will access anyone by way of use they are to her and when they are not, she’ll just simply brush them aside. If one dosen’t do her will or the things that she likes, she’ll just hurl vulgarities at them. When I confronted her on an occasion, she says well, PST KONG SAID only leaders need to conduct themselves and there are no requirements for CHC members to do so and that God will forgive her all the same when she goes for her weekly 5pm Svc, CGs & give her Thites. Well, Kong if you are reading this or you do not have the time I suppose having to fly to be with your dear popstar wife, all your preaching for ten years on the law dosen’t seem to have any effect at all on your member leh? How you explain that?
Loli on June 29th, 2009 12:22 am

Hi Dan,

i don’t think it is courteous for you to mention names here. We all are not perfect and we are just learning on our way to perfection. It seems to me that you are judging Ms Ng..who are we to judge? To be more like Christ is a journey..we don’t become perfect overnight..God loves us and love encourages us to become a better person. Let’s encourage our bro & sis instead..and not putting them down or judging them.
Dan on June 29th, 2009 12:24 am

Kong, you shld just take it in your stride and learn to depend on God’s Grace instead to change a person, your preaching on the law has made your member twice a devil aft every Svc she attends! Know ye not that it is the goodness of God that leads one to repentance? Surely, tis would not have escaped your attn considering the fact you are a a Prof of theology? But I don’t see it mentioned in any of your quotations!
Dan on June 29th, 2009 12:30 am

Well, since your Kong Hee preaches like he is so perfect then it should produce perfect holiness members rite Loli? Loli, know you not that even a bit of inperfection is not tolerated by the law? So, I am just using the law to judge CHC’s members standards cos the law demands perfection and not even a bit of bent will be excused otherwise it is not the law! Since you all preach so much on the law shldn’t I be allowed to judge you guys by the law’s perfection? This is the law for you Loli, not even a bit of tolerance allowed otherwise don;t be hypocrites and do everything the law says so!
wen on June 29th, 2009 12:32 am

Pastor, good entry! Covered lots of grounds.
=( on June 29th, 2009 12:34 am

So does that mean that we don’t have to love God anymore?

So does that mean that we can have idols in our live?

So does that mean that we don’t have to honour our parent already?

So does that mean that murden is ok?

So does that mean that to be covetous ok as well?

So isn’t this like the kings of israel? They did what is right in their own eyes…
Melv on June 29th, 2009 12:36 am

Dan, I defend the church. The church condones souls, not split personalities. Your actions just show that you are willing and ever-ready to deny anybody of entry to church just because they cannot change.

You are nitpicking here because it is easier for detractors than it is to uplift others. If you were that allknowing, I have not seen that you changed Pauline either. Quote back to you: “How you explain that?”

And you choose to believe the words of exact one person whom you already wary about. It just explains everything about your frame.
Dan on June 29th, 2009 12:48 am

Melv, I am not denying anyone of entry to church, you are quoting totally out of context! Shows your level of understanding of English. Having been sitting under Kong’s teaching for ten years and beating up and cursing parents and others’ goes to show so much abt the preaching on the law!

I am not trying to and will not to change Ms Pauline cos firstly, she is a grown adult and shld know what she’s doing is wrong espc under Kong’s teaching of the law, Secondly, given her level of arrogance, she will probably start hurling vulgarities at you for correcting her (as experienced by all her previous CGLs, can check with them and her ZS too).

I do not believe her & have never claimed so in any of my entry (suggest you go through it again and read carefully), I’m just merely quoting what she exclaimed when confronted and corrected! Her Snr Pst’s words!
Dan on June 29th, 2009 12:58 am

Well, Melv, what are you defending? Your church’s rights’ to inperfection and erring when you preach the law which demands total and unbenting righteousness? You’re not even allowed to err a little Melv, otherwise don’t be another hypocrite and follow totally what the law says and demands and don’t ask for grace or frogivness when you fail to do so, Lesson 101 that’s the law for you!
=( on June 29th, 2009 12:59 am

Well.. no wonder Churches in Singapore is so weak.. and Singapore Churches are not making impact in the society.. To ppl in Singapore who are not Christian, we are just like a laughing stock and a mockery..

Look at all the comments to one another.. Hahaha, is all about stabbing one another using the word of God.. How can we win this nation to God when the Churches in Singapore are not even united.. What a joke and mockery..

Jesus become something that people mock and laugh at because of people like us.. childish and immature trying to justify for themselves and turn against each other as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.. What a shame and mockery..

Well, seriously… get a life and get plug in to God.. Find out the truth by spending your time with the One Who is the originator and creator of all things..

Stop making the Church/Body of Christ be a laughing stock and a joke…
Dan on June 29th, 2009 1:00 am

The Law kills but the spirit gives life, don’t say I am judgemental cos that’s what the law’s for to condemn and judge when one fails. Think for a moment if one has brains, do judges in court judge and dispense punishments or sit there and be forgiving and understanding?
Dan on June 29th, 2009 1:04 am

I am not attacking but just using my common sense. Their life ends if one loses their common sense. which of those I’ve said is not using basic common sense? I’m just showing tit for tat and that’s what the law is, is it not? Prove wrong then?
Roy Jr on June 29th, 2009 1:15 am

@ watcher

quote: “are you losing touch with reality and just stubbornly parroting after dead theologians?”

Take a moment and think watcher. God gave us minds to use for a reason. If you would like to engage in educated debate, then I urge you to do so in an educated manner.

First of all, by your logic, ANYONE who is dead loses his/her significance as a teacher of the Gospel. This includes arguably one of the greatest theologians, Paul himself and every scholar of the Bible ever to have died! This is, by all means, a ridiculous statement that carries no significance whatsoever.

Secondly, if you are expounding the idea that Pastor Kong is “losing touch with reality”, then you are also accusing Jesus in the same way. Jesus, the TRUE interpreter of the Mosaic law, explicitly stated “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18). Watcher, our God, Jesus Christ, is the same today, yesterday, and forever. He does not lose touch with reality because he CREATED reality.

What gives you the audacity to state that Jesus, and “dead theologians” like Paul, are out of touch with reality?

quote: ” Christians all over the world, including prominent leaders/priests who teaches the above, are breaking the laws and living like faithless people”

There, are, in fact, many Christians in the world who are breaking the laws established by God. I urge you once more to just THINK about what you are saying. Until we (humans) are restored into perfection by the second coming of Jesus Christ, we are, by definition, a fallen people. No matter how hard any person tries to be completely pure, they will fail due to this innate nature of human beings. This is where the power of God’s grace comes into place, to wash away the sins of the unrighteous. Leaders and Pastors are also part of the human race, and thus many are tempted to do what their innate susceptibility to sin asks of them. This does not have any correlation whatsoever, however, as to whether the law is still significant or not. Just because, metaphorically speaking, a vase is broken, it does not mean that it the vase did not and does not carry a purpose.

just THINK.
Stanley Wong on June 29th, 2009 1:15 am

I am not a theologian but I am just wondering, did any of those eleven historical church documents listed in the article explain how Rom 6:14 – “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” – fits in with obeying the 10 commandments?

Did those historical documents explain why the 10 commandments, which were “written and engraved on stones”, were called “the ministry of death” by Paul in 2 Cor 3:7?
Dan on June 29th, 2009 1:22 am

Besides, Ms Pauline also claims to be close to her Pst Kong and said he follows her twitter daily. So is he as corrupted as she is while preaching perfect righteousness according to the law or is there something more to it? Might want to check with your snr pst.
Roy Jr on June 29th, 2009 1:29 am

to =(

quote: ” Well.. no wonder Churches in Singapore is so weak.. and Singapore Churches are not making impact in the society..”

Umm. No. City Harvest Church is not a weak church. It IS impacting society in a MASSIVE way. The church has 27,000 weekly going members! The church engages the arts, it engages politics, it engages business, it engages education, it engages athletics all around Singapore and even Asia!

quote: “we are just like a laughing stock and a mockery..”

Once again, no. City Harvest Church is recognized all around the globe as a church that is god fearing and as a church that continues to push the boundaries of culture to save the souls of those who do not think that God has a place in their lives. By their continuously growing impact alone, it is obvious that “we” are not laughed at no longer by the thousands who have received God’s salvation and love in their lives. On mocking, for your information, Jesus was mocked ALL throughout his life, including when he was socializing with “sinners, and even as he was nailed upon the cross to save our sins. Does not change the fact that he changed the world as we know it. Being mocked does not necessarily mean that you are wrong. What is certain, however, is that it means that you are doing something DIFFERENT.
TKH on June 29th, 2009 1:30 am

Dear Watcher,

Your comments are ridiculous. Firstly, you are making a very general statement, or I should say accusation, of many leaders and Christians who teaches the above and living a faithless life. May I ask where do you get the statistics? Or is it because you have a bad encounter ONCE and come such a naïve conclusion?

Check your facts/ statistics first before you post, if not you might be guilty of being an “accuser of the brethren”.

Your second part of the comment is even worse, calling great saints of God in the past as dead theologians?

And obviously your understanding of English is low. After such a great expository explanation from historical & theological point of view by Ps Kong, you called that “parroting”?

Please think first before you post another “laughable” comment.

God bless.

TKH
=) on June 29th, 2009 1:33 am

to that Ms Pauline, everybody is given the freedom of choice, it up to her wether she want to change anot, the pst, cgl, zs can’t force her…

but nevertheless i know my life definitely has change for the better, you cant deny the facts because there are evidences in my life that non believers like my friends, relative and grandparents saw…

what you learn in church = input
every input= there a output, people saw, e.g like me
there are good changes

but not everyone input = output
it may be ms pauline
because we are given the freedom of choice to change or not to…

lol
Roy Jr on June 29th, 2009 1:41 am

@ Stanley Wong

quote: “Rom 6:14 – “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” – fits in with obeying the 10 commandments?”

You are completely taking this verse out of its intended context. Paul is speaking in this chapter to antinomians, licentious people who consider that the law is not necessary. Let’s read a little bit of this chapter.

Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? Certainly not! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”

Here, Paul candidly mentions that sinning is simply NOT one of the things God wants us to do. What is sinning, breaking a law of the Ten Commandments!

Romans 6:18″ You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”

The above verse proceeds the verse you attempted to use to defend your argument. In the original context, to be a “slave to righteousness” is to be an individual that adheres to the laws that God has set in one’s life. The paradox of being a slave to righteousness, is that you are also liberated from your slavery to sin. God’s grace does, indeed, exist, and is indeed great, however, without following the laws of our God, it is impossible to be a “slave of righteousness” as Paul succinctly calls us to become.
CC on June 29th, 2009 1:48 am

Hi DAN:

I think you’re going a little way off here…

1) I don’t understand why preaching the LAW is tantamount to our “church’s right to imperfection and erring…”???

As far as i know, we are all at best, flawed humans. We know we aren’t perfect. We believe the 10 Commandments are still for today, simply because they are part of the SUM TOTAL of God’s Word! You have to take God’s Word in its entirety! You don’t “disect” it and chew on any part, then major on just that part, simply because it soothes your itching flesh!

If we say that the 10 Commandments are no longer valid for today, and that because of grace, we can sin (sometimes even wilfully) & then ’simply’ ask for forgiveness, again & again… Then really, we are basically being licentious… giving ourselves the “license” to sin, isn’t it? I think that is “trampling the Son of God underfoot” and counting the blood shed a “worthless thing”! The grace of God is given, and not to be taken for granted… It’s scary to think that we don’t need the 10 Commandments, because it condemns our conscience, and because we are in the “New Covenant” & therefore, we can live by grace without Law. That is totally unbalanced!!! And we could come to a point of no repentance.

You have to take the WHOLE WORD of God & not just major your doctrine upon a few verses. And if you think the 10 Commandments are void today, you might as well tear our your Old Testament & just have the New Testament in the Bible??????

BALANCE is the key to life. You sound a tad bit off balance when you say that the Law condemns & judges, merely. Is that your perspective of God actually??? We are “saved by grace, through faith,” to “do good works”!

We need the whole Word of God & we also definitely need the Spirit of God…
The Spirit gives life.
The Word… is also “spirit & life!”

GOD & His Word are synonymous. You can’t say you love God more than you love His Word, nor can you say you obey God more than you obey His Word. You don’t separate GOD & the WORD.

Regards. :)
Li on June 29th, 2009 2:48 am

Dan, you seriously err in the area of defining the purpose of the law. It is not meant to condemn and to judge, but to show that we are inadequate on our own, and hence we need God.

I agree that it is indeed a mockery for the unchurched to witness the disunity within the Body of Christ.
Nick on June 29th, 2009 3:00 am

Great post Pastor Kong!

And to Dan: You can’t invalidate the whole church or the teaching through the case study of a black sheep. It’s equivalent to telling Jesus that His teachings are all failures because in the end Judas betrayed Him as well. Come on…Judas was one of Jesus’ disciples! You were saying, perhaps Jesus’ teaching were invalid because it failed to produce fruits in Judas?

But look at the other side, his 11 other disciples went on to do great works and impact the world.

Jesus’ legacy is not defined by what 1 stray soul did, but by the results/accomplishments of his remaining disciples and the impact Jesus leaves in the hearts of the people, many generations till today.
YT on June 29th, 2009 3:16 am

Hi Dan

Can you please “STOP”.
You are so irritating, so full of yourself and happily bringing down others. You are worst than Ms Pauline that you are trying to bring down in my opinion.
I really dont see any fruits of the Holy Spirit in you…..
Are you from the devil ?
DP Martono on June 29th, 2009 5:26 am

Pastor, these 5 weeks I use your material on “10 Commandements” for CG Sermon in Lippo Cikarang & Malang. They received ‘new revelation’ about 10 commandments and very very blessed! Thank you Pastor.
Dawn on June 29th, 2009 6:24 am

Awesome! Thanks for the post!
Stanley Tan on June 29th, 2009 7:24 am

I fully understand and agreed with ; “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people (Heb. 8:10).” All preacher and especially, church attendee must have the Holy Spirit operating in their life or alternatively speaking, living Words of God living in them, so that obedience to Laws of God is natural. Here is some confusion for immature Christian. “One moment, they are taught *1″You must make an offering sacrificially”, next moment they were taught “No, don’t condemn yourself, make offering within your means. *2″ Here is another one “When you are being called by Lord Jesus to be on mission, you will leave your family.” and then this “No, you must take care of your household. Your family come before the ministries.” King Solomon’s Wisdom word Eccl 3: “Everything has its Time.” Only our Holy Spirit can teach you what to do!

*1 My comment, how many times we are being challenged to a make an offer sacrificially and I did when Our Holy Spirit spoken through Pastor Benny Hinn during the Asia conference 2008 “Put an offering of S$1,500 and it will be returned to you in 12 days” I had already pledged quite a sacrificial amount and then this additional amount. I was fighting within myself “I must obey, NO you’ve done enough.” Finally, I sensed our Holy Spirit is telling me “Go, Stanley” and I did with my Credit Card. Praise the Lord, my money was returned on the 4th day. Read my testimony http://www.esharingportal.com/viewstory.php?sid=70&chapter=1
I will be writing the testimony on how our Lord Jesus had helped me fulfilled my pledge to Arise and Build.

*2 We had heard many testimonies of Christian who went oversea to do God’s mission; our Pastor’s wife, Sun Ho, Benny Hinn and in fact all the disciples of Lord Jesus; they dropped their fishing nets and followed Jesus when being called, leaving their family. Many would make excuses such as Matt 8:21-22 “Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him. “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” When someone revealed to you that he or she is being called. What would you said to them? “No, Church had mention before, you must take care of your household first.” I feel sorry for Christian who do that, Lord Jesus wasn’t their “First Love”, they had what they had learned “their unwritten law” and worst they imposed on other people who come to them for advice. How many of us have these “unwritten laws” that makes us go against the commandment “The calling” by our Supreme authority, Lord Jesus? Surely if a Christian is being called, his or her household will be provisioned and taken care of by our Lord Jesus, some angels (brother or sister) will be called to take care of them. Moreover we are so privileges as compared to olden days where there was no airplane, the disciples have to walk hundred or even thousands of miles away with Lord Jesus. At the most, like what our Pastor Kong Hee did, take a fly to LA and meet Sun Ho, in matter of hours.

In fact, commandments from God is not restricted to only the ten commandments. There are many commandments issued to us by God as we do our daily walk in Christ and only our Holy Spirit can help us recognizes and obey them.
jay on June 29th, 2009 7:34 am

guys, I’m impacted by what CHC does and engaging the marketplace, arts and all which is totally awesome. Praise God!

but what I notice is sadly, not only in this blog but in youtube as well when someone criticize or make some comments that are offensive towards a Church (be it CHC, NCC, COC etcetcetc) then they fight back making offensive comments, I know we;re all not perfect and we’re all learning and its bound to happen that we will have debates but as christians and brothers and sisters in Christ can I pls encourage you all to grow in character? :) Character is important, even when we get offended and stuffs.. how are we going to respond? and are we going to respond with wisdom or just fire back? I pray that as bros n sis in christ that we’l love one another and grow in our character =)
Stanley Tan on June 29th, 2009 7:50 am

====> Dan,
I feel sorry for you. You failed to understand the whole meaning of being baptised by the Holy Spirit. By the way you shoot all these message, you aren’t sure of what you are saying? God give everyone the FREE will to obey or not to obey. If a person continues to do evil or wrong things and then said that Lord Jesus will forgive and there goes again he or she justified their wrongs doing just because he or she said that Lord Jesus will forgives? Hello, are you awake DAN? If a person had repent, he or she would have stop doing all the wrong things and continue to improve and Lord Jesus washes away their sins again and again.
Your revelations to us “she has also been changing numerous jobs & CGs over the years due to the many disputes she has had with her employers & CGLs ” A person can’t stay in a CG has to assess themselve inwardly, “why other people can remain in a Cell Group, and why not SHE?’ I had written an article about this “BLESSED FRUIT TREE NEED NOT CHANGE GROUND”
Click this link http://www.esharingportal.com/viewstory.php?sid=37&chapter=1
Read and understand. I am not standing on any side. Not all CGLs are spirit filled, nobody is perfect.
Stanley Wong on June 29th, 2009 8:39 am

Dear Roy Jr,

You said “In the original context, to be a “slave to righteousness” is to be an individual that adheres to the laws that God has set in one’s life.”

To REALLY put a “slave to righteousness” in the PROPER CONTEXT, let’s take a look at what Paul says about righteousness in the book of Romans:

Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from FAITH to FAITH; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (emphasis in caps mine)

Romans 3:21-22 (NKJV)
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through FAITH in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. (emphasis in caps mine)

Romans 4:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”
9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that FAITH was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. (emphasis in caps mine)

Romans 9:30-31 (NKJV)
30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. (emphasis in caps mine)

It is obvious from the above verses in Romans that Paul was preaching about a righteousness that is by faith and NOT by adhering “to the laws that God has set in one’s life”.

Therefore Paul was saying in Rom 6:18 that we have become slaves to “righteousness of faith”, and no longer need to pursue “the law of righteousness”, which explains why Paul said in Rom 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are NOT UNDER LAW but under grace.” (emphasis in caps mine)

By the way, what about the question of Paul calling the 10 commandments “the ministry of death”?
TKH on June 29th, 2009 11:19 am

Dear Dan,

From your “fast & furious” comment, I would think that you are one of the members of the megachurch (I may be wrong too). I must first admit that I am a member of CHC and I am proud to be one, just as you are proud of your own local church, and rightfully so. However, I felt that your comments are out of proportion and sounded “ridiculous”. I will attempt to reason with you, and hopefully you can take it with a good heart and not just react with your emotions. Below are my comments on your points:

Since Kong teaches so much abt obeying and keeping the law then pray tell me why is CHC one of the most hypocritical church one will ever come across? I’m sure many S’poreans wld agree with me on tis! A member by the name of Pauline Ng Baoying …

If you have read Ps Kong’s article carefully, you would not jump to the conclusion that Ps Kong taught “so much” about obeying and keeping the law. This is your pre-concluded judgment, because anyone with a good understanding of English will know that Ps Kong’s emphasis is on fulfilling the moral laws of God through the grace of God & by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not what you assume on salvation by the law (or by work).

You mention that CHC is one of the most hypocritical churches you ever come across, because of one case you know. Your reasoning is full of flaws. It is as if you come across a street in Singapore that is full of rubbish, and concluded that the whole Singapore is a very dirty place. Can you see how lousy that argument is? Also, how do know that Pauline Ng is a member of CHC? Is it just because she attended CHC’s services and CG meetings? Then you are ignorance of CHC’s structure, as we have thousands of visitors every week in our services and CG meeting, who are not members of CHC. If you said that because Pauline claimed to be a member of CHC, or a close friend of Ps Kong, and you BELIEVED it, then you are a very naïve person. Your statement that “many Singaporeans would agree with you” is laughable and absurd. Where do you get your statistics? I think it is your own wishful thinking.

Moreover you claim that you are under the “law of love” (Please forgive me if I understood you wrongly). Well, the Bible says love will cover a multitude of sins”, and from your action of exposing the sin of a fellow Christian so openly, I don’t see much of God’s love in your life. I would think that Ps Kong walked more in love, from the fact that he did not state the name of the pastor or the church he was referring to.

Well, Kong if you are reading this or you do not have the time I suppose having to fly to be with your dear popstar wife, all your preaching for ten years on the law dosen’t seem to have any effect at all on your member leh? How you explain that?

Well, Dan, I must stay that your facts are all inaccurate, and in fact presumptuous. Ps Kong has been preaching for more than 20 over years, and if you bother to find out, you will realize he preached on faith, love, grace, culture mandate, Great Commission … etc. You are absolutely wrong to assume that Ps Kong has been preaching on the laws only for the past ten years. You sound even more absurd to assume that the last 10 years; all of Ps Kong preaching has no effect on the members of CHC. Firstly you are not God; therefore you would not know how many members’ lives have been transformed. Secondly I can give you literally hundreds of testimonies of CHC members who lived have been changed for the better after they become part of this spiritual family. You statement shows that you are an arrogant chap!

Kong, you shld just take it in your stride and learn to depend on God’s Grace instead to change a person, your preaching on the law has made your member twice a devil aft every Svc she attends! Know ye not that it is the goodness of God that leads one to repentance?

Again Dan, do you see that your arguments are mere accusation without any solid proof. How do you know whether did Ps Kong depended on God’s grace? In fact, you are making a grave accusation without any proof, that the preaching of the law has made CHC members twice the devil? How do you know there is no genuine repentance in the lives of the 27,000 CHC members? Did not the Pharisees call the works of Christ the works of Beelzebub? Are you not behaving more like the Pharisees rather than the disciples of Christ by your above comments? Please think it through before you open your mouth the next time.

Well, since your Kong Hee preaches like he is so perfect then it should produce perfect holiness members rite Loli? Loli, know you not that even a bit of inperfection is not tolerated by the law? So, I am just using the law to judge CHC’s members standards cos the law demands perfection and not even a bit of bent will be excused otherwise it is not the law! Since you all preach so much on the law shldn’t I be allowed to judge you guys by the law’s perfection? This is the law for you Loli, not even a bit of tolerance allowed otherwise don;t be hypocrites and do everything the law says so!

Dan, which part of Ps Kong’s blog mentioned that he is so perfect? When did he mention that CHC’s members are perfected by the law? It seems to me that you are the one that sounded “perfected” by your arrogant comments. Your whole argument above is based on your own false assumption that Ps Kong teaches salvation by work (by law), which is due to your lack of understanding of the English language on the above blog content.

My conclusion is: Dan, go back and read your Bible. Be like the Bereans to search out the word of God (Acts 17:10-11). Find out for yourself what the Bible talked about the law before your simply believe the law is bad or evil. Your understanding on the law is extremely flawed. I welcome your discussion and reasoning on the topic, but if you are just here to vent your emotional anger because someone “troubled” your understanding of the law, then any further discussion is meaningless.

May the Lord bless you with greater understanding.

TKH
Victor Lim on June 29th, 2009 11:58 am

dan,

Your comments on this blog are uncalled for, unfair, and unbecoming of someone who professes to be a believer.

Do be mindful of your inputs in future.

“I think Kong is sadly mistaken abt the teachings of Grace & of course I know who he is referring to when he mentioned abt ‘a Pst of a megachurch’. “ [dan]

Your knowledge of the person that Dr Kong Hee refers to is irrelevant.

Kong has chosen, in his respect and graciousness, to keep the Pastor anonymous in his blog entry and you would be wise to keep it this way.

“Since Kong teaches so much abt obeying and keeping the law then pray tell me why is CHC one of the most hypocritical church one will ever come across?” [dan]

Since when did it make it acceptable to slander a church, dan?

On what basis do you have the audacity to say that CHC is what you mischievously accuse it to be?

You better be prepared to back up what you say on this forum and not make libellous statements without justification, dan.

“I ’m sure many S’poreans wld agree with me on tis! “ [dan]

Are you sure? This is a profoundly arrogant and misguided statement.

I challenge you to give me the identification of these “many Singaporeans” whom you claim agrees with you that “CHC one of the most hypocritical church one will ever come across”.

Give me their names, their identification so that they cannot hide behind not cowardly monikers.

And dan, if you cannot do that, you have only successfully discredited yourself here.

“A member by the name of Pauline Ng Baoying for example who claims to be a devout CHC member …is tolerated by the church due to her monetary contributions I suppose. “ [dan]

This is a terrible thing to do and a despicable way to argue, dan.

You seem to know much about Pauline and appear to have a personal axe to grind with her.

I hope she is not a friend, dan, as I am sure she will be heart- broken to know a friend has used her name in such a manner to pursue an argument.

It is shameful that you should mention her name so explicitly here, along with such blatant accusations about her, even as you conveniently hide behind a nomenclature of ‘dan’.

Again, these uncalled for accusations against Pauline should be substantiated, dan. Otherwise you might find yourself in a potential troubling case of libel.

“All this preaching of the law by Kong dosen’t seem to be producing the holiness eh?” [dan]
“I am not attacking but just using my common sense.” [dan]

This is a patently inane argument, dan. Just because there are criminals in Singapore, does not suggest that the penal code is not working.

Every country has rehabilitation facilities. No one of a sound mind will even propose, as you did, that the existence of criminals suggests that the legal system in the country is flawed.

An excellent point is made by Nick and I iterate it here.

The fact that Judas betrayed Jesus does not open Jesus to accusation that his preaching does not seem to produce holiness. Not by any clear headed, logical person and certainly not by anyone with “commonsense”, that is, the “commonsense” you so arrogantly touted you have.

“And of course, needless to say the way in which she deals with & treats plp, she proudly declares that she will access anyone by way of use they are to her and when they are not, she’ll just simply brush them aside. If one dosen’t do her will or the things that she likes, she’ll just hurl vulgarities at them. When I confronted her on an occasion, she says well, PST KONG SAID only leaders need to conduct themselves and there are no requirements for CHC members to do so and that God will forgive her all the same when she goes for her weekly 5pm Svc, CGs & give her Thites.” [dan]

You have made very terrible accusations of Pauline. Even if they might have a grain of truth, a public forum like this is certainly not the place to air your frustration about her.

These are very nasty statements intended to shame Pauline, dan, and I urge you to request for its removal. The terrible thing you have done here does neither to help Pauline becomes better (if your claims are true) nor will it help others to be persuaded to your point of view.

All it does, dan, it to expose the mean-spiritedness and the malice of the person who wrote them.

“Kong, you shld just take it in your stride and learn to depend on God’s Grace instead to change a person, your preaching on the law has made your member twice a devil aft every Svc she attends! Know ye not that it is the goodness of God that leads one to repentance? Surely, tis would not have escaped your attn considering the fact you are a a Prof of theology? But I don’t see it mentioned in any of your quotations!” [dan]

Such ugly words…My goodness, dan.

From a seemingly proponent of God’s grace, you neither appear to be very gracious in your words nor full of grace as a person.

To jay,

“Character is important, even when we get offended and stuffs.. how are we going to respond? and are we going to respond with wisdom or just fire back? ” [jay]

Jay, no doubt character is important. And responding firmly to unfair criticisms such as that by dan, is by no means a deficiency in character.

Consider when Jesus remarked the wrong spirit behind Peter’s words in Matt 16:22 and responded equally strongly with “Get behind me, Satan”

Consider also an example of Jesus’ responses to the scribes and Pharisees in Matt 23:27.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” (NKJV)

“You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You’re like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it’s all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you’re saints, but beneath the skin you’re total frauds.” (MSG)

These strong responses are only reserved for those, who by their malicious comments and questionable intent, asks for it.

Victor
DanielJX on June 29th, 2009 12:00 pm

Hi Pastor Kong,

I’ve always enjoyed reading your blogs that shed light on these difficult issues in our walk with God.

Joseph Pulitzer once wrote: ” Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it, and above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light. ”

Thanks for ‘putting it before us’ in your blogs! Write on Pastor!!!
Twitted by kensw87 on June 29th, 2009 12:00 pm

[...] This post was Twitted by kensw87 [...]
FCY on June 29th, 2009 12:03 pm

Hi Dan, I have been following the exchange of comments here and I feel that you have made a lot of personal attacks towards CHC and the leadership. We are all here as a body of Christ and be it the law or grace, we need both! We need his Grace to fulfill the law!
So please STOP your personal attacks by quoting just one example of how a christian has stumbled you! No one is perfect. And even if this lady CLAIMS to be so close to her senior pastor, it may not be true! And with a church size of 27,000 people and if all were to behave as perfect christians, either we have a church full of ROBOTS or we are already in heaven!
Please, release your bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness! If you go on like this, this seed of bitterness is going to destroy your life. Move on with your life Bro!
Stephanie on June 29th, 2009 12:11 pm

I went to stanley blog and was lead to this website. Yes, the 10 commandment is valid, and fulfilled by Christ Jesus on the Cross. I am from that mega church, whom Pastor KH talked about.

The thing is, from looking to Jesus for almost 3 yrs and had Lord walked with me and leading in daily basis, Lord lead me to walk out the life of Christ and the 10 commandments easily.

I am still a baby Christian in the eyes of most but without realising what 10 commandment is about, Lord leads me to walk in it that now, mum can see me and sis love her more than my other siblings that are not saved.

What is written by fresh means? Are you the one writing? Is it your effort? No, nothing about your good or bad, by looking to Jesus, He leads me to walk it out effortlessly. His yoke is light.

Lord said in Psalm 23, you first being made to lay down on the grass to feed his words. The word of Christ, who Christ is. When you are so full of him and nothing of self, Lord come and lead you to walk beside the quiet water…means you rest in him and let him lead, not by your efforts. He will restores all the lacks in your emotions and then, he leads you to walk in His righteousness, his path of righteousness.

It’s all lead by him, nothing by us. Just by looking nothing to self and let Lord leads each day in walking His way, the 10 commandments are walk about effortlessly.

So, it’s not by human effort that we try to walk that way. It’s thru Holy Spirit in each of us that leads us walk it out as we look to Jesus and believe in all that He is.

May you find your fullness in Christ Jesus!

Amen and Amen!

Shalom and Shalom!
AT on June 29th, 2009 12:53 pm

Pastor Kong,

Firstly I think this article you have just written is awesome! :) I love it and I believe all those with a right spirit who read this article will really benefit from it. Jia you!

“But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;” Matt 13:16

Hi Dan,

You mentioned in one of your comments:

“When I confronted her on an occasion, she says well, PST KONG SAID only leaders need to conduct themselves and there are no requirements for CHC members to do so and that God will forgive her all the same when she goes for her weekly 5pm Svc, CGs & give her Thites. ”

I personally feel that it is so untrue. I have been listening to Pst kong teaching for the last 7 years, and I am proud to say that what I have learnt throughout the years is that I need to conduct myself regardless I am a leader or a member. We are all christians right? So what applies to a member will applies to leader because we follow the same God and read the same bible. I am not too sure why she will make that comment but in Mark 4:5-9

“5:Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.
6.But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.
7.And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.
8.But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
9.And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

And we learnt that the exact words spoken but it will lead to different reactions from different people. So I think in a church, no matter which church you go to, you will always see that there are people who recevied the word and people who do not.

And as for the part that you mentioned she say God will forgive her as long as she goes for her weekly services, cgs and tithes. I dont think thats true. God forgives only when there is true repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:10 NKJ
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Hebrews 12:17 NKJ (with ref to Esau)
For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Well thats what I learn… :)
lady on June 29th, 2009 1:12 pm

Dear Pastor Kong

I am a young adult christian and this is a topic I have been struggling with for several years. Would you be able to write in details on what a christian ought to do during and making arrangements during chinese funerals?

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

It is a little easier when the deceased is a grandparent because there would be uncles and aunts taking care of direct matters.

In such times, I would not participate in the funeral rites or rituals conducted by the monks at all. Joss sticks are of course a definite no no. Often times I would be the only oddball by moving aside.

It is tremendously difficult when every relative is gathered around the monk performing the rites and I could not possibly sit on the chair pretending to be an outsider. I did not make repeated bows before the portrait (as it would be idolatry) but only kept my head bowed in respect. For the sons that would have been mandatory on the last day.

How does one preserve equilibrium between the traditional way of expressing one’s filial piety and in obedience to the orthodox christian life?

I certainly did not wish to grieve the holy spirit or God. At the cremation hall when it was the final farewell, I circled around the coffin like the rest. The monk was doing a tone-down version of prayer procession. I think I would have been utterly hated if I had stood at the seats because that was a dear one lying there in mins of being cremated.

Could you advise what a christian ought to do if the deceased is a non-christian father or mother as in throughout a funeral procession? At the time of writing, there is no saying parents would not be saved one day but the possibility remains. There are certain responsibilities in the family that could not be delegated to others.

With so many chinese customs and practices, people simply follow the monk’s instructions. In such circumstances, I doubt anyone will tolerate the disobedience of the children.

In this context, it is very dangerous if the christian simply says, “I don’t care, I just don’t follow!”. Because it is usually this person who does the contact and all the arrangements.

I know it is a touchy topic, but it is a very real one in Singapore’s society. Will appreciate if there is any help.
brens on June 29th, 2009 1:19 pm

Hi guys,

I guess, we should not be disputing over this issue further more? I believe everyone has a right to the way they view such issues. As the entry has mentioned, there was a recognition that there are people who believe in the Law’s existant, and people who do not believe so. The writer of this blog is obviously for the former.

As a believer for many years, I have come across personally the good apples and the bad apples, people who seek to glorify God, and people who don’t seem to glorify God even though they proclaim to be Christians.

Coming from a traditional background, I was taught to not judge others no matter how they choose to behave. Because I remember in the Bible it once mentioned, that we will all be brought before the Judgement Day, to account for all that we have done. Therefore I believe, disputing further here does not add any value to what each one of us feel is right about the Bible. In fact, I believe, (presumably) if we are all Christians, we should be peace-loving, and do our best to help people around us. Christians/non-Christians, everyone of us bound to have a bad habit that needs to be changed, and we all need someone to guide us and teach us.

I feel we can make our time here on earth to a better use, by being as best a testimonial we can to everyone, Christians and non-Christians alike. We don’t judge, because that is not what we are to do. We simply just love.

Having read through a pretty good amount of entries, I guess ultimately, we must never force our views on others, and through love and consistency in character, help everyone around us to make the world a better place. once again, everyone = Christians and non-christians alike.

Because love never says no to anyone.

Good day mates (:
Aaron Kee on June 29th, 2009 1:21 pm

Thanks Pastor! This is a fantastic entry! Really am deeply blessed! Always a very refreshing time to read your entries, truly inspirational!

To Dan: Even Jesus himself taught and discipled people personally yet Judas, one of his closest disciples, can betray Him. So is the message wrong? Of coz not! You, me and even Ps Kong cannot determine the ground in our hearts, like what Jesus said, some grounds are the way-side, some stony, some thorny and some good ground… with almost 30,000 members in CHC, who are you to say that ALL of them are good ground, stony ground, thorny ground n way-side? the condition of our hearts is our responsibility… One cannot blame others because one doesn’t want to change..
DX on June 29th, 2009 1:48 pm

Hi Dan,

I would like to respond to your previous posts.

You mentioned about City Harvest Church teaching about the Law, yet we have a member by the name of Pauline being a bad example to what we are teaching. Well, just to let you know, there are many more “Pauline”s in our church. I believe that church exists to reach the lost, to help those who are imperfect, to help the wayward youths, those that are facing troubles and struggling in their lives. If we have more “Pauline”s in our church, all the better! Because that would mean that we are helping others become better people, be like Jesus, just like how we changed and transformed to become better people ourselves. The day that we have almost perfect (noone can be perfect) and blameless people in our churches, that would mean that we are no longer obeying the Great Commision, which is to reach the lost and wayward, to reach the imperfect. The more problematic members we have and the more “sinners” we have in our church the better! We are doing what Jesus did when He was on earth, “fellowshipping with the sinners and tax collectors,” getting into their lives, helping them change with the power of God.

Furthermore, from what you said, Pauline sounded like a young person in the Lord. Just look at her lack of understanding of leadership, of how a leader should conduct himself/herself, her capacity to love people and treat people lovingly, her understanding of the purpose of attending weekend services and cell group meetings, and of Christian habits. Even if she has been attending City Harvest for a while, she probably is growing slowly in the Lord, and is still very young spiritually. I agree with what you said earlier, that we should depend on God’s grace to help a person change. If we remember how God had been graceful to us when we are weak and imperfect, we will be gracious to people like Pauline, and be gracious/graceful (full of grace) towards them. I believe that it is having a true understanding of the grace of God bestowed upon our own lives that will also help us love these problematic people, to help them change with God’s grace.

Although you do not believe in having the Law, but by what you said about Pauline, you sound like you are condemning her. This is no different from walking under the Law, like what you said, “the Law demands total and unbending righteousness.” You are saying that she should have perfect and unbending righteousness because she is a Christian. And by publishing her name on a public blog like this, if she gets a chance to see this blog, it does not seem like you are depending on God’s grace to help her change either.

It is contradicting too, that although you do not believe in the Law (Ten Commandments), yet you feel angered and provoked by Pauline’s actions which are dishonoring to her parents. The Ten Commandment Number 5 says that we should honor our father and mother (Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21). You do not believe that the Law still stands to this day, yet you are abiding by what the Law says, having your value system of honoring parents based on the Law. It is very hard to believe that you are against the Law (Ten Commandments). At the end of the day, the Law is not bad/evil at all!

Regarding whether or not Pastor Kong live out what he preaches, it is not up to us to decide nor comment on, we are accountable to God for our own lives. Just like one day you will stand before God to account for your words and deeds, your inner thoughts and motivation, one day Pastor Kong will also do the same. As a shepherd, Pastor Kong does the best he can to teach the Word of God to the best of his ability, to feed his sheeps (the church) in a way that is led by the Holy Spirit. But he can never force his sheeps to eat or drink if they refuse to. To change to become a better person, to be transformed by God’s Word is not determined by Pastor Kong. The bare minimun that Pastor Kong can do is to be the best Pastor he can be. But not all plants grow at the rate you desire it to grow, not every plant will bear the kind of quality fruit you want it to bear. It is unfair to say that the farmer is a bad farmer just because the plant did not turn out the way we all want. People change because they choose to change.

In City Harvest, we believe that the Law (Ten Commandments) is still very much alive, because they are the foundations of very good moral values for our lives. But what I feel that we should not do is to use the Law (Ten Commandments) to condemn people and cause people to step into bondage. And the only way not to live by the law (in bondage and in condemnation) is to live by faith by the grace of God, to live a Spirit-filled life, led by the Holy Spirit, depending on the Holy Spirit’s power to obey the Word of God and His Commandments.

But at the end of the day, let’s stay united as the body of Christ!
There is much to do to obey the Great Commission!

God Bless!
Julius on June 29th, 2009 2:22 pm

Dan,

You seem to have some sort of agenda, a personal grudge against Pauline. I strongly advise you against it if it is at all your intention to help person change. They are not helpful nor constructive comments with regards to the article.

Your allegations are serious enough for me not to mince my words. Your arguments are ridiculous in implying that everyone who listens to Kong’s teachings and is from the church is supposed to be as perfect as what is taught in the bible. Well, I’ve got news for you – Satan is an expert in God’s teachings and laws, heard them all, but yet, still the devil.

Hopefully you will come to your senses and realize the folly in your actions.

Julius
LYL on June 29th, 2009 2:59 pm

@ Watcher:

I’m very shocked by your ignorance made evident in your posting. A Christian that teaches on Godliness may not be a godly Christian. Likewise we do see prominent leaders/priests who teach on the law, “breaking the law & living like faithless people”. Obviously, Pst Kong is not ignorant about this reality. If you ask me, he is one of the most relevant Pst around. The 10 commandments as the word of God should never be compromised, regardless of the existence of “faithless Christians”. Lastly, I am disgusted with you terming our forefathers of faith as “dead theologians”. Do show some respect.

@ Dan

Quote: “Kong, you should just take it in your stride & learn to depend on God’s grace instead to change a person, your preaching on the law has made your member twice a devil after every service she attend.”

As far as I know, Pst Kong’s life is a demonstration on his dependence on God’s grace, to bring transformation to our generation. The purpose of the gospel is to change someone’s life with the revelation of God’s love. There is absolutely nothing wrong in transforming [changing] lives for the better, for God’s glory. One can always depend on God’s grace and change lives at the same time.
To say that Pst Kong’s preaching has made the member “twice a devil” is unbecoming of a fellow brother in Christ. I think it is totally ridiculous to say that Pst Kong should stop preaching on the importance of the Moral law, based on personal behaviours of members he has no control over. It is even more absurd that you are discrediting the hundreds & thousands of lives that he has impacted for Christ. Your comments are without basis. Please think twice before writing. Unless you can do a better job, I suggest you stop posting such unreasonable comments.

Quote: “Since Pst Kong preaches like he is so perfect that it should produce perfect holiness members right?”

No! First of all Pst doesn’t preach like he is almost perfect. He is one of the most humble pastors, always giving glory to God for the ministry. For a 27,000 – strong church, he never need a boost to his esteem. Instead the growth of this church demonstrates the work of the Holy Spirit & a testimony of Pst Kong’s obedience in living out the will of God in his life.
Pst Kong has given himself to much prayer & fasting. He never once said that he was perfect, so don’t assume something that he has not advocated. None of us are perfect. We are all accountable for our own lives, our own behaviours. To expect Pst Kong’s preaching to produce “perfect & holiness members” is unbiblical.

The Bible says that “Out of the abundance of your heart your mouth speaks”. Your hurling abuses on fellow believers and the man of God, tells me that you are not perfect either.
Matthew 7:5 “tells us first remove the plank from your own eye…”

May God bless you

LYL
john Gonsalves on June 29th, 2009 4:18 pm

Rev. Paster,

I watch your telecast on Day star and it has been a blessing to me and my walk with our Lord Jesus. I love any one who talks about Jesus for He is the one who interests me most. I am delighted to be born again and adopted in the Kingdom of God’s family. May God the Holy Spirit fill you with unmeasureable anointing that when you preach His word it will open the door of people’s heart for Jesus.

You are a blessing to the Body of Christ. God bless you

In Christ,
John
AWY on June 29th, 2009 4:18 pm

Thank you Pastor for writing this entry in the midst of your busyness.
I’m very blessed by your sharing. =)
lady on June 29th, 2009 4:43 pm

Hi everyone

I am not a member of these two churches, and neither do I think Dan’s example is appropriate.

It looks like the below statement was said in a spirit of instruction and love.

‘…. a prominent megachurch pastor says, “When you come under the law by trying to keep God’s commandments in order to be blessed, it will lead to death. There will be deadness in your marriage, ministry, health, career.” ‘

It just means if a person will to stick only to their own efforts in obeying the law and good works to keep God’s commandments, there will be deadness. For you will then be subjected under law, not grace. Now, we all know that is not what christians believe.

<> We need both the super abounding grace of God and Discipleship to be nurtured in the likeness of Christ. <<

A simple and yet such a delicate point from two sides.
lady on June 29th, 2009 4:45 pm

Hi everyone

I am not a member of these two churches, and neither do I think Dan’s example is appropriate.

It looks like the below statement was said in a spirit of instruction and love.

‘…. a prominent megachurch pastor says, “When you come under the law by trying to keep God’s commandments in order to be blessed, it will lead to death. There will be deadness in your marriage, ministry, health, career.” ‘

It just means if a person will to stick only to their own efforts in obeying the law and good works to keep God’s commandments, there will be deadness. For you will then be subjected under law, not grace. Now, we all know that is not what christians believe.

quote: The message is clear: the Ten Commandments are unnecessary, oppressive, and maybe even downright evil.

How is it so? I disagree with the above statement as it is interpreted out of context. This should not be used as a pivoting point to refute the teaching & move to the next.

‘Beloved, by grace you have been saved through faith’, not on your own works. Jesus’s death on the cross brings new life! The whole passage is on hope, forgiveness and have to be heard in its entirety.

- So megachurch is saying legalism kills but the grace of God abounds. Choose, which do you want to abide by.

There is salvation by the grace of God, amen. Otherwise we would face condemnation. It is not a bad word never to be mentioned. Do we need the grace of God everyday? Yes, we do! Very much. I thank God He loves us! And sends people to tell us.

We are saved only once and do not stop at grace. There is no point overpreaching Grace over and over either (like 90%). To surrender all to Christ at the cross everyday, we need grace together with Discipleship. And this I believe is partly what pastor kong is saying.

In order to grow in discipleship, true believers will look to instructions such as the Ten Commandments and by following the Great commission. That has been known since the dawn of time. Fervently pursuing God’s teachings keep us in the will of God, His protection, His blessings.

If a pastor highlights a sin and say it is wrong, I will not treat it lightly and say the grace of God saves. I will accept the admonishment, do not repeat it, because I want to be a good follower and disciple of God.

>> We need both the super abounding grace of God and Discipleship to be nurtured in the likeness of Christ. <<

A simple and yet such a delicate point from two sides.
Raymond the faith preacher on June 29th, 2009 5:05 pm

to watcher : where is your faith build upon? God’s word or prominent leaders in the world? So if Jesus says that we should love God wholeheartedly and because many of the prominent leaders that you see, is not doing that. So you neglect the importance of what Jesus says.

So to you if your faith is like Thomas’ faith, where seeing is believing, then i guess you need to renew your mind in the word of God where faith is the substance for things hoped for, evidence of things not seen. We hope to be more like Christ even though it is tough, that is why we depend on God and that is where His grace towards us is exalted. His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

to dan: Firstly, no one is perfect in this world.
Bible says Jesus is the only one without sin.
Secondly, Pastor Kong didn’t claim his preaching is perfect, or his perfect. So please do not be presumptuous or assuming. Always season your words with salt. “Do not bear false witness”
lastly: His just giving his point of view here. If you think his mistaken about his understanding of grace, quote him as you will. and enlightened us with your understanding, like the disciples of berea, if you understanding of grace is according to the word of God we will listen to you. but please back your words with the bible. no one is perfect, jesus came to the world for sinners, we that have fall short of His glory depends on His grace. And no one claimed that CHC is a perfect church, even pastor Kong himself say in service, we are not a perfect church, but we are a happy family.

so i really awaits to learn from your understanding of Grace
NotAchristian on June 29th, 2009 5:07 pm

its funny why people can waste so much time debating over such issues which me(speaking for all the non-believers) finds it extremely ridiculous! you can tell from my email that i was once a believer and seriously, christians out there, my advice is that you should stop trying to put each other down and get on with “soul winning”..

the reason why many leave a church is not because God is non existant, it is simply because of the people whom try to be “holy” and have too much of their do’s and don’ts and make excuses to sin. why do that? might as well be real to yourself and do what you really want? trust me, you find it much more comfortabe that way. and IF you want to believe in God and go to church weekly, then just simply love God and obey his bible. why remove a portion of it and say it is not relevant for today? seriously as a layman, it doesnt make sense that a portion of the bible is non relevant for today. then discard the entire bible and write your own doctrine? since that is exactly what you are trying to do. if a portion of it is not true, then how can you bring your bible and tell the non christians that the other portion is true and expects us to believe and follow Jesus? abit dumb actually..

so what i feel is that, stop alll this nonsense,waste of time debates. start living a life that really please God. if you think that by debating, you can win the world, come with me to temple. dun waste time trying to be holy.

you know what i really missed after leaving church? its really those moments when i spend alone in my room with my guitar in my hands. when no one is around to see and all i had was a very good feeling that God loves me and wants a good future for me.

Just my 2 cents.
JT on June 29th, 2009 5:37 pm

Hi friends,

As far as I know, my friends and family members from other denominations (Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist) abide in the Ten Commandments.

To say that we need not live by the ten commandments anymore is absolutely nonsensical. One must actually have a shallow knowledge of the Word.

Personally, I received Christ in my life so that I can rid my old way of living and live a new lifestyle.
What would be the purpose if the ten commandments were to be abolished?
We might as well not need the Lord, not?

Without the law, there is no objective standard by which we can gauge what true righteousness is. (If we say that we live according to true righteousness).

Dan: You ought to check up your bible references and facts before making so many point blank remarks. I would think twice before making accusations at individuals and organisations.
Your comments only tell me about your maturity in thinking and how you have been brought up by your pastor (if you are a Christian).

All said and done, I don’t think the church needs another 21st century Marcion.
lady on June 29th, 2009 6:11 pm

JT,

I believe our pastors who preached with great love for the congregation believe the Ten Commandments are necessary, none is saying otherwise.
Stillhaventfound on June 29th, 2009 6:57 pm

Hi Pastor Kong if you do indeed read the comments =),

While I attend an awesome church that doesn’t believe the Ten Commandments are for Christians today, I am very inspired by what your wonderful church has done to reach out to the lost. City Harvest Church has indeed been a blessing to Singapore and Christians in Singapore.

I don’t want to debate the role of the law and 10 Commandments in the Christian life here. I just want to point out that while there’s no doubt that the conventional and mainstream belief is what you have written, more and more people are questioning such a view of the 10 Commandments. There’ a lot of solid scholarly material out there by well-respected Christians around the world that would differ from the popular view of the 10 Commandments. An example is “New Covenant Theology”. In addition, I know more and more Reformed Christians are also seeing things in a different light.

As charismatics, we know the historical doctrinal view should be given due respect, but it’s not everything. People once attacked us because of our charismatic beliefs. Many still do so today. So, just because most people are on the side of a doctrine doesn’t prove much, as I’m sure you’ll agree with.

Both sides have their reasons for their beliefs. It’s not as though one side is dumber or less godly than the other. So I think both sides should continue to study and seek God on this matter and be open to each other. And even if we disagree, let us all remember that we’re all on the same side :)

Cheers! :)
PX2 on June 29th, 2009 8:46 pm

to Dan,
We appreciate everything you have said. It’s great insight on the condition of the members of our church, that we should put in more effort to teach and disciple them to be godly Christians. Jesus said that we should love God with all our heart and love others like we love ourselves. That is why she is still in church. Despite the flaws, we still love her and Pst Kong still loves her, because God loves her.

We obey the 10 Commandments because it is a sanctification process that we should go through to be more like Christ. The law condemns but only through the law, we know we are sinful, we are imperfect, we need to rely on God. Then only it will bring change to a person’s life.

Have a good day, Dan.

PX2
SOT on June 29th, 2009 9:20 pm

Pastor Kong, we are very thankful of your blogs & teachings!!
Keep on Keeping on! Enjoy reading your blogs!

Blogging is such a powerful tool – use it constructively to build lives.

2 Timothy 2:22-24 (New International Version)

22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

God bless :)
Amazed on June 29th, 2009 11:13 pm

Dan, God bless.
Pst, we love you.
William Phua on June 29th, 2009 11:19 pm

Let me rest the case,brothers and sisters,peace is inside out,not outside in.:b
Stanley Tan on June 29th, 2009 11:33 pm

Here is the truth revealed to me by our H.S. After getting involved in putting comments on the second “controversial subject’ I saw the Vision of the antichrist who will raise up in Asia. He will cause his followers to rewrite the Bible, taking out Bible contents that is consider “irrelevant” The antichrist will reproduce Bible with content that is “so pleasing and easily acceptable by many” Many will fellow this Anti-Christ because, the human logical understanding of the Bible will get fellowship from people who are slowly but surely inclining towards accepting the omission of more passages in Bible that they consider “inappropriate!” Yes, Antichrist will be loved by many, because he can administer teaching that will be pleasing to many in accordance with the New Bible and also he can perform miracles and healings. Many already had their head or hand stamped with the “666″ which is my interpretation of man constantly rebelling against God. “6” being the man number and notice it is the constant 3 6s meaning constantly doing only man’s work in accordance to his believe and understanding, rather than God’s. This antichrist will be love by many because His Way is easy and many true believers will have difficulty trying to buy or sell things with them because they don’t have the “666″ which is the constant rebellions against God. If you are not careful, you are not in spirit always, you will fallen and become one of them. Yes you will be having the mark too “666″ , as many already had it. As in Book of revelation had already mentioned, there be great fallout before the second coming of Christ our Bridegroom. Stand on strong faith so that you will not be part of the fallout!!

Lord Jesus had clearly said. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17). This has been strongly emphasized and preached by Pastor Richard Roberts and Dr A.R. Bernard that from Genesis to Revelation, the whole Bible had been inspired by the Holy Spirit. “Not a single page is to be taken OUT!”
Ray on June 30th, 2009 12:00 am

The Sword is meant to cut the works of the devil into pieces, not ourselves.

Should we invest this time in touching more lives for God, many lives might have been transformed…

Cheers!
Melvin on June 30th, 2009 12:15 am

To say that you don’t need the Ten Commandments, or don’t believe in it is downright illogical.

Just think about this…which commandment can you reasonably say is a bondage?

eg. You shall not kill? If its a bondage, so you should be liberated to kill now, right? You shall not commit adultery? So you should applaud if your wife feels liberated and decides to….

Which of the commandments is bad? wrong? oppress or control you? None. You don’t even have to be a Christian to know that.

When God said He will write the commandments in our hearts, the law did not change or become void, but the same law written in our hearts, that through the Holy Spirit, we might have grace not to sin, if we depend on grace.

Thus…dismissing the Ten Commandments, or consider it to be a oppression is accusing God of being an oppressor.
Roy Jr on June 30th, 2009 12:22 am

Continuing upon what Melvin stated, almost every law system in the entire world is based foundationally upon the ten commandments. It would be quite a pompous thing to deem EVERY single law system based on the ten commandments in the diction of the word “oppression”.
Stanley Tan on June 30th, 2009 12:24 am

Ray, brilliant union of the message. The SWORD is the WORD and the TRUTH. He who had true faith will be able to wield this Sword of God and slice through every spoken words to know whether the Words is of Spirit or of the shadow of darkness. This is the Gift of Discernent and Wisdom in operation. Praise the Lord!

Heb:4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing as under of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Listen, it is by dividing the soul and Spirit, then do we know whether, whatever is spoken is from the Spirit of God or from the evil, the Shadow of darkness.
noname on June 30th, 2009 12:25 am

Hi all,

CHC and NCC is a great church… ^^

God is a just God. God hate sin, that’s why he put all the sin of all humans and put it on the body of Jesus… Jesus took our sin and died in our place. we, on the other hand receive Jesus’ righteousness. “. We are not justified by the law. If we can justified by the law, then Jesus died in vain… Because God know we are not perfect, then He gave us His son. He want us to depend on Jesus’ righteousness… ”

When I hear Grace sermon, I was amazed with God’s love.. even though we are not perfect but God still treat us as an apple in His eye. If there is no God’s grace… we are all unworthy to come to God… Grace is something good given to an unworthy people. If people is worthy of something good, it is not grace anymore…

All the heroes described in the book of Hebrew is not perfect people.. look at King David, Abraham, Moses, Solomon, Peter, Paul, etc. God still use them and give them grace although they fail.
noname on June 30th, 2009 12:35 am

What I like from CHC is the preaching that teach the member how to live life that will bring glory to God… CHC teach various topics, such as:
Prayer, Worship, Grace, Faith, Family, Relationship, Marketplace, and many more…. :)
noname on June 30th, 2009 12:37 am

So, let stop this argument… it has no end…
^^
Stanley Tan on June 30th, 2009 1:59 am

I now remember something. Yes, when Lord Jesus died for our Salvation, by HIS Grace, we are FREED from the Law of the world and the flesh. So the New Covenant “We are now governed under the Law of Christ.” Lord Jesus had fulfilled the will of God, that is die on the Cross so that he can ascend to the Right hand side of the throne in Heaven. He promised that he would not leave us Orphan but gave us the Helper, Our Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will teach us “ALL THINGS” As I had said earlier, we are not under just the ten commandments but daily “many commandments from Gods, countless” Shocking? Some already said in Singlish “Wah Lau, ten commandment already so hard to follow, now many daily commandments from God , how to follow lah?” Ha Ha ha, sorry slap my face, it is not a laughing matter. But, really ALL of us must be baptised by the Holy Spirit and surrendering ourselve completely (in another words, reducing oneself to nothingness) so that our Holy Spirit can help us recognise and follow the daily countless commandments, precept by precept to do the will of God. Without the Holy Spirit, I can’t do it. Praise the Lord. Thank you, Abba father Jesus for helping us to fulfill the New Convenant “The Laws of Christ” Amen
Jesus on June 30th, 2009 7:57 am

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. ~Jesus
KY on June 30th, 2009 8:41 am

Pastor, thanks for a great blog. As always, you never fail to put everything in a broad perspective and cover your sharing from as many angles as possible. These truths give us understanding, wisdom and strength to live our lives worthy of God’s calling!

Balance is indeed the key to life!
Stanley Wong on June 30th, 2009 9:23 am

Hi Stanley Tan,
My personal view is that there are no countless commandments to follow; there is only one and that is to LOVE.

Romans 13:8-10
8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

9The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Ah Beng on June 30th, 2009 10:57 am

Dan on June 29th, 2009 12:19 am And of course, needless to say the way in which she deals with & treats plp, she proudly declares that she will access anyone by way of use they are to her and when they are not, she’ll just simply brush them aside. If one dosen’t do her will or the things that she likes, she’ll just hurl vulgarities at them. When I confronted her on an occasion, she says well, PST KONG SAID only leaders need to conduct themselves and there are no requirements for CHC members to do so and that God will forgive her all the same when she goes for her weekly 5pm Svc, CGs & give her Thites. Well, Kong if you are reading this or you do not have the time I suppose having to fly to be with your dear popstar wife, all your preaching for ten years on the law dosen’t seem to have any effect at all on your member leh? How you explain that?

Wah Seh …. Dan ….You sound like you have a problem with ppl … You sound like one of those the bible b4 hor … Cast the 1st stone if have no sin…You mean you dont have any SIN b4 ..You mean have never being a bad testimony b4 …By using a person name is are very bad ah … I mean we will forgive you cos of your ignorance la … you mean in other churches we do not have this kind of behavior ?? …A church is a soulwinning place you have all types of ppl …By my name (Ah Beng)you know what kind of background I WAS …if the christians had not shown me grace + patient +understanding for that period i would have been fallen and i would not be able to testify the goodness of God ..I beleive in 10 commandments ….Loving God wholeheartly + loving ppl fervently . by the way was pauline your x gf ?
Sounddoctrines on June 30th, 2009 3:34 pm

True grace will never say to God’s laws, ‘We don’t need you !’ or ‘Doing God’s laws will bring the curse of the laws !”

Mat 5:16-19. Hence, neither Jesus nor Paul had preached against God’s laws. Paul was only against the laws of the Pharisees or the way the Pharisees believed in their laws. It is just as simple as that !

Why do we have so much evil and convincing teaching against God laws today ? I am afraid this could have come from the mind of the Lawless One.
andrew on June 30th, 2009 8:08 pm

Pastor, thanks for the entry. Thanks for taking so much effort to in researching too. It opens up to me to see how great God is, considering the Ten Commandments being the basic foundation for any legal system and jurisdiction in the world. We are definitely saved for to do good so that we can make a difference in our world today. Thanks Pastor!
Sola Fide on June 30th, 2009 8:13 pm

I agree with Kong this time in terms of his view on Ten Commandments. The topic is quite obvious no matter in terms of the Bible teaching and History of Christianity. I am quite shocked when some people here are personally attacking another person or a church instead of giving conclusive and concrete Biblical evidence. Unlike the topic of masturbation, this issue is much less controversial. I am in the same line with Kong in the current topic.
We must view the issue in a broader context in terms of both what the Bible said and the development from the history of Christianity. Kong did a good research in both of these areas, and I am not repeating here. Let me add my additional points of view in this comment.
To begin with, we must first know why God gave the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel. Clearly the Ten Commandments reveal what is the righteous living in the eyes of God for all His chosen people. However after the fall of Adam, no people can living such a holy living by his/her own strength, no matter people living in the Old Testament time, New Testament time, or now. This is why we need the salvation of Jesus Christ. When Jesus has not come in the Old Testament time, people would give offerings to God and the animals shall be killed instead of the sinner. Actually the blood of the animals cannot remove the sin but the blood of Jesus. This is the symbolic sign of what would Jesus do for us on the Cross.
The Bible says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb 13:8)”. If God revealed of His Will of what a life of Holiness and Righteousness is in the Old Testament, He would not change His mind. The Ten Commandments is an absolute truth, and we must deal with it with an absolute attitude. What is different is the method of following it instead of whether it is still valid or not. In the Old Testament time, man obeys the Ten Commandments by fear of God. When they violate it, animals would be offered to remove the sins through the symbolic sign of the blood of Jesus. In fact, Abraham is also saved through faith by Grace in God rather than following the Ten Commandments (Romans 4:13-16). In New Testament time, Jesus reveals the true meaning of Ten Commandments, is to love God and love all people. In following the Ten Commandments, we love God and people and vice versa. We are saved by Grace through Grace, i.e. the blood of Jesus, which is the same both in New and Old Testament time, and never by our good work.
Just because somebody in the Body of Christ cannot do it does not mean that it is not the Biblical truth. God’s truth does not base on human effort nor personal righteousness. What God speaks and recorded in the Bible are absolute truth and no one can amend every one word (See Matt and Rev for this). As Christians it is our greatest privilege to own the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us to walk a holy life, loving Jesus and people, and following the Ten Commandments wholeheartedly out of Agape, Divine Love! Amen!
Sola Fide on June 30th, 2009 8:14 pm

Love,
Sola Fide, Jesse Mak
Lex on June 30th, 2009 11:18 pm

to dan.

1) What i feel is that. You have a wounded spirit against pauline. Or you’re just bitter because in a way she has offended you. But don’t you think IF you’re making such comments you made yourself you’re elevating yourself to the level of pure holiness?

2) Just because there’s one apple with worms produced by a tree. Does it mean that all the apples have worms?

3) Balance is the key. Too much of a good thing can be bad.

4) I feel that you should not have said things in such a harsh way. Shouldn’t we accept the person for who he/she is (love of God) but not approve of what he/she is doing?

5) If you have no clear idea of what pst Kong actually preaches. You shouldn’t make such comments.

In proverbs it actually says that. “A FOOL is considered wise till he speaks.”
I think it’s really true don’t you think?

Nevertheless I believe there are still many people who actually commented against you. Who WILL accept you for who you are but not approve of what you have said.
shine on July 1st, 2009 12:13 am

Great blog post, Pastor Kong!

Thank you for always attempting to preach the Word of God & teaching us to live balanced lives.

From the 10 commandments, to the Cultural Mandate (living relevant lives), to topics on the amazing grace of God, Prayer, and even personal life issues like building strong marriages… & more…

You’ve really shown us that the Word of God applies to every aspect of our lives, and you’ve been an instrument God used to draw us closer to Him.

Thanks a great deal, Pastor!
John on July 1st, 2009 4:44 am

Reading the blog entry by the quoted megachurch pastor really makes me sad. Has Christianity become so shallow which these people preach it to be? His blog entry: http://tinyurl.com/ls7lyw
Love on July 1st, 2009 10:47 am

Acts 9
loves on July 1st, 2009 11:55 am

It was clearly stated on the website it is not his blog:

‘This blog is NOT associated or affiliated with Joel Osteen Ministries, Joseph Prince Ministries, Rick Warren Ministries, New Creation Church (Singapore) nor any of the Churches which they are Pastors.’

And if you have not been at the entire sermon, how do you know what he is talking about from beginning to end? Do you rely on a blog written not by him? Just being objective.

For a message on Grace, pls refer to the church website under Resources/video message:
“Nuggets Of God’s Grace In The Feeding Of The Five Thousand”
Ariel on July 1st, 2009 3:44 pm

Dear Pastor Kong,

Thanks for the awesome message! I have been very blessed by it! Seeing this in words has really given me a clearer perspective regarding the ten commandments.

JIAYOU pastor!

Thanks for teaching us! :D:D

Love,
Ariel :)
Ariel on July 1st, 2009 4:06 pm

Dear Dan,

I’m glad we’re all christians (little Christ) learning to be more like Him :)

The Ten Commandments are also known as the moral law revealing the character of God, thus by keeping the laws simply guide us to become more like Christ! – which is why we became Christians in the first place right?

You have a beautiful name too! Dan- God is our judge

who are We to judge? Let’s just live our lives to the best of our abilities and have the right attitudes within us.

God bless you :)

Ariel
Jianhao on July 1st, 2009 6:45 pm

I guess the disputes are more or less settled =)

I really enjoy reading the post although we’ve been going through the topic a bit in the past few weeks in church. The non-emotional comments and discussions raised here are very insightful, and I think will help young believers understand more about their walk of faith.
Vin on July 1st, 2009 6:45 pm

Hey Dan,

You seemed to be in Heaps of emotional stress eh…. interestingly you’re using Ps Kong as your “stress reliever”… how amusingly LAME!!! The bible says “Trials and tribulations you will have, but be of good cheer for I(Jesus) have overcome the world…” No wonder Ps Kong’s an Awesome Apostle of God!! Your comments have truly strengthened Pastor’s faith even further in the Lord! Hallelujah!!! :)

The 10 Commandments were given to Moses BY GOD in the Old Testament to instill law and order to the children of Israel. How is it that the law is useless? Without the law, the people were going out of control like you..(oops). Jesus in the New Testament says He’s here NOT TO abolish but to fulfill the laws, which are the 10 Commandments.

The 10 Commandments were given by God not to “torture” by to guide us in our Christian faith. Are you trying to tell me you’re NOT FOLLOWING any of the 10 Commandments? By the way, do you DAN, love God? If you do, then keep His commandments. Not I say, but Jesus said so… check the bible dude…

“The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of all WISDOM…”

Vincent
Jonnah on July 1st, 2009 6:53 pm

Dear you who disagree violently to Pastor Kong’s teaching,

If we don’t have to live by the law, why is it given to us then? And if you are saying that it is not valid, are u saying that the bible we are reading now is just a typical literature book instead of the Word from God?

10 commandments are kept in the Ark of Covenant in the Old Testament, and right now it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that the 10 laws are written on our hearts (new covenant, new testament)

Maybe u could have been hurt by other believers before and thus u made comments like this. But nobody is perfect, you cannot expect perfectionism in a person, neither in a church. Because they are not God!

All of us are going through the process of sanctification – to be more and more like Christ. And it will be so until the day Jesus is back here on earth.

My prayer for you would be the reconciliation with the people that have hurt u. And pray that you will be able to forgive them because they too are children of God like you and I :)
Archblood on July 1st, 2009 7:15 pm

Dear Dan and Watcher,

Please grow up.

Thank you and God bless :-D
CJ on July 1st, 2009 7:35 pm

@ Dan Have you lost your mind?? Since you’re not even arguing theology, but are being personal, I’m going to be personal, and hopefully not have too negative a bearing on how christians settle disputes.

Firstly, its crazy to judge an entire church by 1 imperfect person, which by the way we’ll all be glad to admit to being imperfect in case you’re thinking we’re just going to conveniently turn against her too.

Secondly, you are a small person to attack her the way you have. Absolutely no dignity or grace. Don’t even talk about Christian conduct, you have practically reduced it to an issue of basic human decency. Doesn’t matter what she’s done. You obviously have some personal vendetta, and in my opinion doing far worse than what you accuse Pauline of doing.

Thirdly, and my BIGGEST GRIPE, I think you’re mad to attack Pastor. Theology aside, which Pastor Kong has so powerfully and irrefutably expounded, and you have not matched, your posts and personal attacks are definitive of why the 10 Commandments are so needed.

People like you are why friends and society thinks Christians to be loveless and judgmental hypocrites, ironically exactly what you seem to be turning around as your accusation towards a church that has impacted Singapore, Asia, and the world, changed more lives than most have dreamed of impacting, given more money and love (which can be empirically proven by factual figures) selflessly to humanitarian work.

As for everything cheap grace related…ie. throw out the 10 commandments, throw out Christian Character….etc. That’s like a spouse saying to their husband or wife, I’m so grateful to be married to you I’m going to go out and commit adultery as much as possible to demonstrate my gratefulness.

We don’t obey and carry the cross because we’re trying to get saved, we willingly carry it because of love and gratefulness to a God who’s given us everything. When you grow a church of 27,000, have gone through the the tests and challenges that our Pastor has gone through, given sacrificially and lovingly as he has, been committed and devoted to God like he has, changed our lives as he has, then you can give your 2 cents…till tend, I suggest you be ALOT more respectful.

You really need a reality check on your attitude and ego. You’re just going round and round with childish arguments that carry no weight nor substance.

Dan, there’s no limit to forgiveness, but that doesn’t make us walk-overs. You challenged not just the righteousness of our God and His word, you challenged the man of God and the church and family that we love– some battles we have to stand and not keep silent. I sincerely, and for now and the near future, angrily hope you come to your senses.
NS on July 1st, 2009 9:23 pm

What’s all these debate about? Quoting scriptures and theology to argue with each other as if you know God inside out. No one is big enough to understand all of Him, Experience God yourself and He will give you the conviction of what is right and what is wrong. The focus of Christianity is not the church, it’s not the pastor, it’s not the members but it’s God Himself.
guitarwu on July 1st, 2009 10:05 pm

Hi Dan,
I believe not everyone is the same in CHC as the sister that you mentioned on your first comment. I can see that you are quite affected over what has happened.

Not everyone is perfect. Our church is not perfect. The believers is not perfect. But we work together as family to help one another to be more and more like Christ.

The 10 Commandments is like a mirror for us. It reflects the pimples and scars on our face which we can work on. Of course we cannot 100% be like Christ right after we are saved. Slowly but surely, as we walk day by day with God, I believe we’ll change to become better. Right? =)

All in all, please don’t be affected in your relationship with God just because of another Christian. Let your faith be built on the rock of Christ.

We welcome you to come and visit us anytime! =D

Take care!
ZHan on July 1st, 2009 10:40 pm

Dear Dan and Watcher,

Some passage and verses for both of you to come back to:

Romans 14:8-10
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

In John 13:34-35
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

In John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

In John 14:15 – 17
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

If you were to link these together, does it shows that even God Himself and Jesus, and the reason for the Holy Spirit exist, is so that we can fulfill the 10 commandments that safeguard us from ‘owing’ each other.

In another word, if you say that you are defending your pastor or whoever you feel is sound, by default you are defending out of love (unless you have other motives), thus by default, you have fulfilled the 5 out of the 10 commandments. And if you are saying that you are doing this for God, by default you are defending out of love (unless you have other motives as well), thus by default, you have fulfilled 5 out of the 10 commandments.

And if you strongly believe that there is no need for the 10 commandments and rejects Pastor Kong’s warning for us not to fall into cheap grace. You might just be part of ‘the world cannot receive, because (you) neither sees Him nor knows Him’ Thus, I hope you might want to reconsider what you have said and done.

Not forgetting in Malachi 3:16, “And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of rememberance was written before Him” You need to watch what you say especially on things you do not know why entirely, as Deut 29:29 says, “the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children foreverm that we many do all the words of this law.”

Anyway, if you doubt Pastor Kong and his leadership, you need might want to attend CHC School of Theology (SOT) next year and taste and see for yourself. In the first place, Pastor Kong and his leaders are called by God, are thoroughly discipled, spend considerabe time learning servanthood and are faithful people. They have proven track records (you want to take a look? Join SOT!)

And I agree with Lex, be balance. Its the key to life. Dun be hasty to judge, neither too slow to change. Apologizing might be a first step.

BUT the most important point is: Pastor Kong! We love you! You have said well!

I rest my case :D
Dorothy on July 1st, 2009 11:17 pm

Hi there, Dan and Watcher.
I really appreciate that you bother to actually spend a few minutes of your life reading Pst Kong’s blog. AWESOME.
However, it seems that your thoughts about him are rather negative. AND apparently you are like criticizing him, and judging others in one way or another. The bible mentioned that ” God will judge you the same way as how you judge others. ” So be careful. Oh, I pray hard that you’ll have a deeper relationship with God so that you’ll understand what people like Pst Kong is doing for the Kingdom of God (; (:
tata~~
JY on July 1st, 2009 11:17 pm

To NotAChristian on 29th June 2009,
Thanks for your various inputs from a non-Christian perspective.. I truly agree with you that instead of hurting each other with our words, we should start living a life that pleases God.

Just to add on, I think it’s fine to have “debates” about theology, iron sharpens iron but we should not neglect speaking the truth in love and keeping an open mind, always esteeming others better than ourselves…=)

Hmm I don’t know why you left church, but I know that feeling you were talking about =) Indeed God still loves you and wants a good future for you. Be blessed =)
Goh on July 1st, 2009 11:24 pm

thank you Pastor for opening up another new chapter of christian theology! (:

yup, i totally concur- “Don’t be hasty to judge, neither too slow to change”. Balancing is key to life!

clinging onto the 10 commandments help us to be Christ-like, however no one on this universe is perfect except our Lord Jesus, so Paul wrote in book of Romans that if we are under grace and not law, does it means we sin? CERtainly NOT! God thanked us though we are slaves of sin, we obeyed from our heart the form of doctrine delivered to us so that we being set free from sin, become slaves of righteousness.

10 commandments reign in our hearts and it makes us realise that we fall short of glory of God and that we need to totally depend on God in everyday of our lives, crucifying our old carnal nature to the cross and living out a life totally in obedience to God. yeah although it may not be easy because all around us there are so many distractions and traps that we could fall into sin but we need to exercise our self-control and discipline ourselves to be dead to sin. yup
Vince on July 2nd, 2009 12:16 am

Dear pst,
What i would really feel about this post is that it really gives us a outright view on the ideas & arguments leading up to the current now.

To put in common sense, to me personally, to abolish the 10 commandments would be as good to abolish living out a good christian life. I mean if we would really study closely, most of the laws around the world are created out from the origins of these 10 commandments. If we were to say we are to abolish them, it would be almost as good to say christians doesnt really care about living out a good christian life.
That said, something i really agree on is having the laws now written in our heart. Which means we are doing it out of willingness & our desire to obey & follow you. Not just words on a piece of wood telling us if we dont do this, so and so bad stuffs will happen. The mark of a true disciple is one who follow christ voluntarily.
And of course just like that several arguments that have been surfacing, i believe no one is perfect and there are people who are really outright sinful in after they convert, some even christians that stay in church. What do we say? Kick them out so people’s mouth will stop attacking us? I would say no and do our best in changing and transforming the lives of everyone through love & teachings. Jesus never once condemned anyone in the bible, not even judas who betrayed him even though he knew outright from the start that one of those closest to him will betray him. Personally, if it was me, i dont think i will be close to someone who i know will betray me. Yet jesus poured his love for everyone and ultimately died for our sins so that we can have freedom.
Lastly i just want to say, every soul is precious to God and stands a chance to recieve salvation no matter who we are. Lets not judge and just do our best in doing what we can as the hands and feet of jesus in this short time on earth.
God bless.
JoshT on July 2nd, 2009 12:40 am

Dearest Pastor,

Thank you for posting this useful article on your blog. Your articles and teachings have been very enlightening; and I cherish them.

As a person who loves the scriptures and Christian apologetic, this article proof to be imensely useful in clarifying doubts I may have; plus, it further builds upon that which I think I may have already understood. I had personally did some researches and find that the Ten Commandments played a significant role in helping the early Churches to grow, just like what you have mentioned.

As such, I delightfully agree with John Calvin that the Ten Commandments help the believer to make daily progress in doing the will of God because I certainly experience it to be so.

Lastly, I would say that after years of observation; together with many of my friends, we have come to grow little by little in this walk thanks to your careful preparation of the word. You have preserve the integrity and simplicity of the message for all the understand.

Someone once said something like that “we believe the message the man preaches because we believe in the value of the man who preaches it.”

Please continue to write, pastor.

With love and appreciation,
JoshT
JP on July 2nd, 2009 2:50 am

Hey, having skimmed through the comments, my 2 cents to add into this fray are:

——————————
Matthew 5:17-19 (NKJV)

17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

John 5:22 – 23

22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,
23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.
26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,
27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.
28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice
29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
—————————————

Matthew 5:18 (NKJV)
18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Therein, these verses speak that Jesus said, not one jot or tittle of the Word (Greek: LOGOS) will pass away.
Meaning two things:
1) Jot and Tittle meaning that even the slightest details of the written word of God will come to pass.
2) The LOGOS or Word back in Jesus time referred to the Old Testament, where all Jewish boys are taught (including the Torah which is written by Moses, the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) and by the age of 12, to memorize these scriptures by rote.

One Key Point to Note:
A) Almost ALL Christians acknowledge that the Bible is true and supernaturally written by various writers throughout history, writers who were led by the Holy Spirit to pen down each chapter and epistle within, with each of the numerals and chapters symbolically linked.

My point is this:
If Indeed you say that the Law is done away with in the New Testament, then would not Paul have been speaking in direct opposition to what Jesus has said?

Then even If one or either proponent between Law and Grace is in error as each would suppose of the other.

I will not back down my own stand that with the work of Christ on Calvary, we are all given the Grace to fulfil the law, not by our own strength but only when we rely on God’s Grace!

Yet, theological debates and refutations have no end, as each has their own interpretation and twist on what they read and recieve.

To this end, Christ having recieved authority to Judge but He Himself committed that Judgement to the Word of God, that whosoever lives his life in accordance to that word will recieve his reward.

Matthew 5:19 (NKJV)
19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

If indeed the law is that when one breaks one of the least, he has broken the entire law, then if one refutes any one part of the Scripture, does he not too refute and render the entire Scripture to no effect in his own life?
None of us are perfect. IF we are perfected upon salvation, why would there be a need for Law and subsequently Grace?

Therefore, why would one say that a portion of the word is no longer applicable? If you refute one part of the Word, you render the word to no effect, and as such doctrine is taught, i shudder to think of the backlash that will come.

I submit myself to the fullness of the Word and even if i have to be broken under its weight, then let pride be broken that Christ may increase in my life.

JP
JP on July 2nd, 2009 3:02 am

In regards to whoever who is in error even if within a church like City Harvest, I believe that Pst Kong’s admonishment would likely be similar to that which Jesus himself said to the woman who was caught in the act of adultery by the Pharisees..

Punishment under the Law for adultery: Stoning until death.

1) Whoever is without sin, can cast the first stone.

Upon which, is there anyone who is perfect? only Jesus Himself.
To which, when all the accusers had left shamefacedly,
Jesus spoke to the woman,

2) Where are your accusers? Have none condemned you? Neither do i, go your way and sin no more.

There is a measure of Grace even during judgement But it requires that one be truly repentant… and not of a licentious nature, twisting the teachings on Grace to one’s benefit without regard for the Moral Law.

(what modern day lawyers would classify as ‘exploiting loopholes within the framework of the law’ to win their case) ^_^
Bandit on July 2nd, 2009 3:36 am

Hey Dan,

You’ve got issues man. Face it, you’re not coming against wrong doctrine, rather, you’re out to hurt people. Did you really have to name names?

We’re all not perfect. Heck, I am not perfect. But speaking so strongly like that against the man and church of God, highly unwise man.

The church and Pastors are here to help, quit being a hater.
Stanley Tan on July 2nd, 2009 8:26 am

@ Stanley Wong
“Hi Stanley Tan,
My personal view is that there are no countless commandments to follow; there is only one and that is to LOVE.”

God bless you and Jesus loves you greatly, Stanley Wong. Have good cheers and at peace. :)
YES, I fully agreed with you. LOVE RULES, work without love is nothing!
But my dear, I am talking about the micro lifestyle that everyone ought to walk daily with the help of our Holy Spirit. LOVE is not a Commandment. It is a decree of emotional measure of one’s action or thought in their live. Anyway, my english isn’t so good. Don’t want to talk too much.
It is for me to remind myself that “My old man had died, nailed to the cross and carried away by the Grace of Our Lord Jesus” I had been FREED from this LAW OF THE WORLD AND THE FLESH. So by his Grace, “We are now under THE LAWS OF CHRIST”

I loves to said and tell myself daily “There are many commandments for me to follow everyday and I can’t do it without our Holy Spirit help.” That is to say, I want to admit that I am weak, I am useless, I WANT TO LEAN ON THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR STRENGTH, POWER AND HIS FRUITS OF LOVE.
In order to avoid some misreading of what I said, let me explain; Once, you are baptised by the Holy Spirit, you willingly let yourself be full control by our HOLY SPIRIT; IT IS NATURAL THAT YOU CAN DO ALL WORKS WITH LOVE (Since LOVE; which is the most important of all is a fruit birth by our Holy Spirit).
Remember The Cross? Vertically , Love God ferverently. Horizontally, Love People ferverently.
Amen GBU/JLU
sgod88 on July 2nd, 2009 10:02 am

I am totally agreeing with Pastor Kong, I do not know why there are so much commotion.

What is the commotion about?

I think once Scripture is further confirmed with Scripture, and after you understood it with Observation, Investigation, Evaluation and Application. It will be clear and this is what Pastor Kong is doing.

Long posts do not benefit others, arguing does not benefit others.

God bless.
sgod88
HF on July 2nd, 2009 10:20 am

Do read

http://www.personaltract.com/Downloads/JENNER%20OF%20GEORGE%20STREET.pdf
HF on July 2nd, 2009 10:27 am

Be a soul winner today !

“He that winneth souls is wise.” — Proverbs 11:30

“A wise son makes a father glad…” Proverbs 10:1

Never underestimate the power of your words.
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. ” Proverbs 18:21

Be Bold and Courageous ! Invite others to Christ.

You can also be another Frank Jenner wherever you are !
=| on July 2nd, 2009 2:30 pm

Is this church? Oh man.. how disgusting it is,,

Looks like Kong Hee started a E-Civil Verbal War on his blog!

Hey, I think the devil loves this scene where Christians fights one another. Hahaha.

I won’t dare to invite people to come in here to see what is going on at the comment page.. too shameful. Whoever commented, whether is CHC, NCC, FCBC or whatever C, all i know it is a disgrace.. grow up..

And whoever is made a comment that CHC is impacting society up in the previous comment, I think nothing much changes, you guys are still the same size for some time. The growth wasnt distinct.

And to be recognize around the globe to e known as a God fearing church.. well, i dare not say that, but all i know that there are too many controversy around it. But i shall keep the comments to myself.

So whoever is Roy Jr.. hahha, sorry to say, it is not what is it..

When you walked on the streets, u cannot differentiate who are the Christians and who are not… But you will know who are from city harvest because they are looked like any other non Christians on the streets only with christian lingo on their lips.. Bad name..
JS on July 2nd, 2009 3:03 pm

Dear Dan,

I am not here to take sides but to just to point out the flaws in your reasoning.

According to your post this is the “formula” you are using…

Scenario: Someone teaches something or gives instructions
Result: Listener chooses not to follow
Conclusion: This “someone” is not a good teacher or has failed as a person of authority

Using the mathematical “law of substitution”,

Scenario: Teacher teaches something or gives instructions
Result: Student chooses not to follow
Conclusion: Teacher is useless and ineffective

Scenario: Boss teaches something or gives instructions
Result: Employee chooses not to follow
Conclusion: Boss is a lousy boss

Scenario: Police teaches something or gives instructions
Result: Citizens chooses not to follow
Conclusion: Police Department is lousy

Scenario: A parent teaches something or gives instructions
Result: Child chooses not to follow
Conclusion: Parent is a lousy parent

It goes on and on….

Now what is true, will be true at all levels. So since your argument does not reflect as “TRUE” in all substitutions, therefore it must be “FALSE”.

And you mentioned you gleaned your facts from the person who claims to attend church and is close to the senior pastor…

I hereby claim that I am close to you and knows that you have a personal vendetta against Pastor Kong and you have told me in your own words that you are out to seek revenge because he did not lend you his eraser when you both were in Primary One more than 30 years ago.

So should all the netizens believe my claim and power up their online “flamethrowers” so that they can start flaming you for such irresponsible and unbelievably childish actions?

Surely not, since my ridiculous claim cannot be verified.

Again, what is true, will be true at all levels. So since your claim does not reflect as “TRUE” in all substitutions, therefore it must be “FALSE”.

Indeed, the pen is mightier than the sword. Let us wield our pens carefully in case we hurt someone or ourselves as our pens are sometimes sharper than a two-edged sword.

Musings,
JS
Melvin on July 2nd, 2009 3:12 pm

Hi :/

So how do you expect Christians to look like on the streets? dress 10 years-ago outdated clothes? What do you expect?

Go read your bible…from the OT to the NT…the entire bible, the believers blended in with society, they did business, they were in every part of society just like any other person….they dress just like anyone else. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you look different outwardly to display “holiness”. Go read the book of Daniel – Daniel was dressed like a worldly egyptian, even carrying an egyptian name, adorned with egyptian accessories.

Holiness is an inward attitude.

Even in Jesus’s days, did he dress religiously? Did he dress like a priest? The people in the world could not differentiate the Son of God from any other ordinary man too.

We are to be salt and light in the world, it doesn’t mean you dress specially conservative and “holy”. Your conservative dressing won’t impress anyone, not even the people in the world.

So what is this thing that you say city harvest’s members look like any other non christians? what bad name?
Melvin on July 2nd, 2009 3:17 pm

back to the Law…

so the law is bad? should be done away with? because it is ineffective?

draw a parallel with a civil judicial system…

So we have laws against rape, against lying in court, fraud, molest, murder, adultery….just like the ten commandments….in fact every one of the ten commandments has a modern civil law equivalent !

So now do we still have crime? Do we still have rape, molest, cheating, murder?

So according to those against the law, they say the law is ineffective and should be done away with…..so we should have no law in our country?!!

Ridiculous ! Guess what happens??? The state will enter into a lawless chaos !

So what is Grace then? Grace does not do away with the law, but it is precisely because Law is still valid, that’s why you need Grace when you can’t fulfil the law by your own !

If law is already invalid, then why do you still need grace?

Its such simple logic. What is grace to you? Is grace a liberation that you can no go and be lawless? Check your bible !

Therefore the law is forever valid! The law was never void or renounced anywhere in the bible….Jesus said himself that He has come not to do away with the law….
CJT on July 2nd, 2009 4:56 pm

To =/

So should Christians wear big cross and hang them around their necks when they go on the streets? Or should Christians wear clothings with Jesus’ name on them? Like what Melvin said, please read the book of Daniel. And you made it sound like you knew all 27 000 CHC members very well and can differentiate us. Do you?

Quote “Hey, I think the devil loves this scene where Christians fights one another. Hahaha.

I won’t dare to invite people to come in here to see what is going on at the comment page.. too shameful. Whoever commented, whether is CHC, NCC, FCBC or whatever C, all i know it is a disgrace.. grow up..

And whoever is made a comment that CHC is impacting society up in the previous comment, I think nothing much changes, you guys are still the same size for some time. The growth wasnt distinct.

And to be recognize around the globe to e known as a God fearing church.. well, i dare not say that, but all i know that there are too many controversy around it. But i shall keep the comments to myself.”

Btw, you should just keep all your comments to yourself since they’re nth but mere words to add fire. Instead of pointing fingers at us, look, 4 other fingers are pointing back to you. :) And sorry, could you be from the devil? Since it looks like you’re enjoying yourself too.
guitarwu on July 2nd, 2009 5:42 pm

Hi =|

This is a blog site. The articles are open for comments. It is expected that there’ll be readers who are against/for his articles.

Debating is good! This is to help all of us to have a better understanding of the Word of God. Don’t you think so?

It’s just like brothers & sisters arguing with one another to have a better understanding of one another. I believe everyone argues with their siblings sometimes.. But at the end of the day, the relationship among siblings got stronger, right?

Hope we have a mutual understanding with one another over here.
Take care =D
MJ on July 2nd, 2009 6:23 pm

Hey guys, stop bashing one another.

“It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right,
JUST BEAT IT, JUST BEAT IT!….”

…echoing Michael Jackson. in his song (Beat It).
Peace on July 2nd, 2009 6:54 pm

haiz.. again… why must you always come against your fellow mega chuch?
Peace on July 2nd, 2009 6:57 pm

isnt body of christ should unite? we are all lifting Jesus… we all believed that Jesus died for us and we are a part in the body of christ.
Peace on July 2nd, 2009 7:06 pm

anyway the mega church u r referring never preach 10 commandment is evil or uneccessary.Please dont jump into conclusion… we shld have a hearing heart.
well i have my rest too… :-)
Melvin on July 2nd, 2009 9:40 pm

hmm…I think your words lead to death…

nono, I didn’t say that its evil or unnecessary..but I just think it leads to death….

hmmm….I think you look ugly today…

nono, I didn’t say that you’re not beautiful, I just said you look ugly.
LY on July 3rd, 2009 7:38 am

@ NotAchristian

And truly, it’s very hard. Really hard. Very very hard.
And sometimes it really may seem easier to give it all up. To give up being a christian. Trying to be pleasing to God.

But, even when not being a christian.. It’s hard too isn’t it. At least, my God is with me to bring me through, to bring you through no?

i mean, many times i have given up like u do, but, i tell myself to not stop going to church. Because, as long as u keep going, whatever it is, with persistance, God will bring u thru.

Narrow is the way to life. But, it’s becoz God loves us too much for us to stay the same.

I pray u will get back to where u know u want to be. back to the place where u missed going.. Jiayous~! =) God really do love u and have a great future for u like how u said it.

But, if NotAchristian can write this, we christians shld know even more about the bible.

“…
the reason why many leave a church is not because God is non existant, it is simply because of the people whom try to be “holy” and have too much of their do’s and don’ts and make excuses to sin. why do that? might as well be real to yourself and do what you really want? trust me, you find it much more comfortabe that way. and IF you want to believe in God and go to church weekly, then just simply love God and obey his bible. why remove a portion of it and say it is not relevant for today? seriously as a layman, it doesnt make sense that a portion of the bible is non relevant for today. then discard the entire bible and write your own doctrine? since that is exactly what you are trying to do. if a portion of it is not true, then how can you bring your bible and tell the non christians that the other portion is true and expects us to believe and follow Jesus? abit dumb actually.. ”

It really is commonsense.

Grace was given not for nth. It’s becoz God knows we are unable to keep His commandments. But of coz, it’s not so that we can carry on sinning!

But is when we sin(coz we are imperfect) and fail God, His grace is sufficient for us. So that we aren’t condemned, but pick ourselves up again by the power of the Holy Spirit, carry on walking in His ways.

if we do not need to keep the commandments, then, why is the way to life “narrow”?
It is becoz as we try to keep the commandments, to become more like God, but yet we still fail. But God’s grace is ever sufficient for us.
otherwise, not trying to keep the commandments, and carry on sinning then why is the way to life narrow? since there is liberty in doing what u want to do without obeying the law?

Hence, why become a christian when u still carry on sinning?

Like what Pst Kong quoted from the bible, Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

I thank God for His grace. And i’m ever grateful that God loves me too much to let me stay the same.
Thank You Pastor Kong for always teaching me more about the bible. I’m still far, very far from perfect, but I’m glad for all that you’ve done for the us, always bringing us to love God and love people more. So grateful that God gave us such a wonderful Pastor. And that you have to take all, and be like the shield.. Thank You Pastor for everything.

God bless,
LY
Herby the Leafy Plant on July 3rd, 2009 12:10 pm

Sophistication has taught me to appreciate the simple
Interestingly simplicity does not seems to exist when it is appreciated
Meaningless are all things to the simple that meets the sophisticated
Priceless they become when the sophisticated understands the simple
Losing simplicity is painful
Ending all sophistication is ridiculous

I don’t know why i just said all these. In fact, I plucked it out from one of my post I’ve written on my blog actually, oops! :X
Anyway, take some time, appreciate my little art work here, and may be you might just get a little revelation for yourself today:D

To Pst Kong.
You’re just awesome.

To fellow commentators.
Please by all means, criticize and comment constructively with a little part of sensitivity in it. Whether you’re for it, or against it, just express it. We’re all learning everyday aren’t we? I’ve to say, everyone here did a wondrous job in sharing their point of view, look at all the insights we have receive on the different prospective. Just that, let us all be nice and not be abusive to the poor “comment” tag by spitting our emotions and hurting people with it.

To myself. Good job Herby, you’ve learn something today!
(P.S. Look on the bright side guys)

Cheers and Smiles :)
Herby the Leafy Plant
ahtong on July 3rd, 2009 7:11 pm

I’ve been reading the comments, and I must commend both Stanleys (Wong and Tan) for the love and humility you demonstrated to each other, despite having theological differences. All men (and women) are imperfect, and this applies to God’s servants. And even great men of God in the Bible had differences (Barnabas had some disagreements with Paul for instance). John Wesley and George Whitfield likewise had some rather major theological differences, but both had no doubt that they were both children of God. In the same vein, while I don’t fully agree with Pastor Kong Kee’s stand on the Ten Commandments, I respect his position. At the end of the day, none of us can fully comprehend God’s thoughts and His ways on this side of heaven.

1 Corinthians 13: 9-10, 12 (NKJV)

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

If great men (and women) of God who have gone before us had theological differences, let’s not accuse or slander each other.

Let’s put the amazing back into grace. Just as Truth is Christ personified, Grace is also about our Lord Jesus Christ. A true relevation of grace will not lead to sin, for it is the relevation of how much God the Father loves us, that He gave His ALL, His best, His darling, the lily of the valley, the Prince of Peace, His precious Son, whom He loved so much, and the Son likewise loved the Father, for us! It blows my mind and wams my heart whenever I medidate on the everlasting love that God the Father and our Lord Jesus have for each other. That is the extent of the love the Father has for all of us. No wonder the Apostle John could say that “we love Him because He first loved us “(I John 4:19). The only way we can love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength is when we catch the revelation of His great love for us. It’s so humbling and reassuring to know that it’s not about me and my love for Him, but it’s all because of Jesus, and His love for me. May Christ be revealed afresh in all our hearts. Amen.
Victor Choo on July 3rd, 2009 11:20 pm

Wah… I’ve been following Pst Kong’s blogs but never saw such traffic before..

Well, everyone is entitled to their opinions and this *is* Pst Kong’s Blog. Clearly, he is entitled to his opinion in his *own* blog.

I’m sure Pst Kong encourages friendly debates in *his* blog. But let’s not “overstay our welcome” in another man’s “house”.

Regarding this topic, it is clear that some will be for it, some will be against it. Much like the discussion between Creationism and Evolution. It never ends. Both sides has big names attached to them. Creationism has Isaac Newton, Evolution has Charles Darwin.

So, let’s keep to *friendly* debates, and agree to disagree. We can put forward our arguement points constructively, logically and in context.

I’m in the team that believes that the 10 Commandments are eternal. They do not change with culture and most countries in the world base their law systems on the moral values in the 10 Commandments, of course, with the exception of the 1st 3 Commandments.

I’m sure no one here disagrees that the 1st 3 Commandments are still valid. The other 7 Commandments are Value Systems. Negating them will mean that we also negate the foundational value systems of our society.

So, how can we say that the 10 Commandments are not for today?

Of course, if we take the 10 Commandments as a “cut-off point” for entry into Heaven, then that will be a problem.

All the above points are also stated in Pst Kong’s blog. And if u read it properly, you will see that his entire blog is mainly saying that The 10 Commandments are still revelant but they should not be the cutting point to decide who gets into Heaven.

I can’t see anyone disagreeing with the above statement. Do you?

Victor
Ronald Wong on July 4th, 2009 4:10 am

Goodness… if i’m still a non-christian today, trying to figure out if I should give this God a chance, I would not hesitate to say “forget it”… we’re so messed up.

what are you guys doing?

So what if the 10 commandments are valid or not today? So what if the “tithe” has been abolished together with the old testament and the new testament way of giving is freewill giving of a cheerful giver? Or so what if it still stands? So what if one decides to drink or another loves to tattoo his body? Does it matter? Do we not do the right thing, give to help the needy, get people saved?

The bible never make any of these issues a consideration for salvation. What are we yaking for? We don’t even have the full understanding to make any conclusion. Some things remain a mystery to us till this very day (Deut 29:29).

Did not Jesus come to seek and save the lost and say we are to do greater works than Him and charged us to fulfill the Great Commission? He specifically instructed us to remember the body, not to judge and to be fruitful. How is winning an argument going to accomplish this? Are you edifying the body or tearing it down?

Fair enough, I’ve spent a few years in other churches and my last 15 years in CHC, and I can tell you I have seen many hypocrites, religious/funny people (leaders and staff included) as well as mightly men of valor in CHC and all the other churches I attended. They are everywhere. Even in the world, in business, at home.

Don’t cast judgement on the whole church or on the leadership of the church, or even worse on 1 man just because of a “Pauline” or a doctrine or an article. Don’t even judge because we don’t know better. Dig your own nose.

If you have even met him, spoken to him (up close or via email), you will know that he never for once take any credit for any life changed, but account it all to God for His glory.

If you only look at the public victories he and Sun had, but failed to see the private tears that they shed, you have no right to judge this couple.

Leave the judgement to God. Watch your own life instead. God gave us work to do. Do it.
J on July 5th, 2009 2:19 am

CJT

You’ve never really been to our church have you?
J on July 5th, 2009 2:24 am

oppsss…. I mean :/
J on July 5th, 2009 2:27 am

anyways, people with all their big comments and big arguments.
come on, you guys have never been to/ never really attended our church. you guys have the slightest idea about the things we teach in church and here you are blabbering blabber. you guys dont even know pastor. all you care about is getting back at pastor kong for teaching the right things. come on~
can on July 5th, 2009 4:52 pm

What a long thread! Dan, are you a believer? Why are you using a person to judge the whole church? You are like judging a person (church) with tattoos (bad point to you) on his body as gangster.
Alvin Low on July 6th, 2009 11:54 am

Dear Pastor Kong,

Awesome post! I am truly blessed!

To Dan:

You sound like you are hurted badly emotionally. Can’t agree with any of your arguments though But still want you to know that we love you still. *wink*
Cindy on July 6th, 2009 2:01 pm

Thank you Pastor! It’s an awesome blog :) You’ve made things so relevant to me, especially when it comes to not just knowing the Word, But also in doing the Word! Kudos!
Faith on July 6th, 2009 11:58 pm

Hi pastor, i agree with what you said about the importance of the law.
I felt quite uncomfortable when u talk about other churches in your blog or sermon in a negative way. By doing that, it will cause conflict between churches and its already happening. I dont think that is what God wants. If ever one church preach the wrong message, God will judge. I dont think its our job to judge who is right or wrong.
God bless you
charmaine
Kelvin on July 7th, 2009 12:01 am

Dan,

would you like to tell us how old you are? ha.
Stanley Tan on July 7th, 2009 6:32 am

Our Holy Spirit inspired me to write an article titled “Rapture is happening?” I was supposed to write only about rapture but while writing, somehome our Holy Spirit caused me to include Linda Newkirk’s message. This article was intended for our loving JE brothers and sisters (apology, I do not have everybody’s email, would you be kind let me know your email address by sending to sa278@hotmail.com).
Praise the Lord! My unintended reader, my own blood sister had turned around after being touched by the spoken words of Lord Jesus; she had repented from her unforgiveness; for she had been hating how her in-laws had mistreated her. And I knew she won’t accept if I were to point out her wrongs (natural for the flesh to reject correction). I prayed and believed that she is now patching up torn relationships with in-laws, let her divorce be renounced. I strongly believe that this message will help those “Academic Christians” who never had been baptised by our Holy Spirit will received deliverance and become truely “Disciple Christians” who will be released from the bondage to the Worldly Laws and be placed under the Laws of Christ, Amen
Read complete article on “Rapture is Happening?” Click or copy to browser :-
http://www.esharingportal.com/viewstory.php?sid=98&chapter=1

Look out for my next article in http://www.esharingportal the title our Holy Spirit had given me is ‘Horses with no name.” Great revelations and impacts. Stay tuned.

Please note that we (ChooThomas.com) do not endorse all of Linda Newkirk’s claims or prophecies, but just this message, so that our Lord Jesus “might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5: 27)
I, Stanley fully agreed with Choo Thomas (the author of “Heaven is So Real.”) Many times, it a real blessing as if our Holy Spirit had been preaching me even before the message is being delivered in Church service. Most of the times, I had gotten these revelation messages weeks or even months before being preached. Praise Our Lord Jesus for his glory. I had done some research by Linda Newkirk’s claims or prophecies, some are particularly ridiculous but this one is amazingly accurate because the message is the same as I had posted before concerning the meaning of Wedding Banquet and our Church wide B.S. on Songs of Solomon had undercovered most of the message of what our Lod Jesus wanted to tell us. Yes, many of us can take this as the commandments from our Lord Jesus. Repent! All yee Brides who are NOT PREPARED!

February 1, 2009

I have been sounding the alarm through the mouths of My prophets. They have heard ME tell of My intentions to come in months past. And, I have been ready! All in heaven is now prepared and ready and I am giving this one last shout! There shall be no other delay, past this one! I only delay now as My bowels of mercy and compassion have been moved to extend this time for a short time indeed! For, many of you, oh My Bride, stand on the brink of being ready! But, you are not ready!

LET IT BE KNOWN THAT I WILL MARRY NO GOSSIP-MONGERS. NO PURVEYORS OF HATE OR MALICE, SAVE YOU REPENT IN DEEP SORROW AND SEEK MY FORGIVENESS FOR ALL.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO DO NOT LOVE OTHERS, EVEN TO LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, TO PRAY FOR THEM AND TO BLESS THEM.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO HAVE ANY SORT OF UNFORGIVENESS IN THEIR HEARTS.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHOSE BOWELS ARE NOT FULL OF LOVE AND COMPASSION TOWARD ALL.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO DO NOT HAVE MERCY AND COMPASSION TOWARD THE LOST, THE HURT AND THE SUFFERING.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO HAVE NOT SPENT LONG HOURS IN PRAYER BEFORE ME, NIGHT AND DAY, SEEKING ME TO JUDGE THEM, TO PURIFY THEIR SINS THROUGH FORGIVENESS AND TO MAKE THEM WHITE.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO LOVE THE WORLD AND WHAT IS IN IT.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO ARE ADDICITED TO TELEVISION, OR TO ANY OTHER WORLDLY THING!

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO LUST AFTER THE FLESH AND WHO LOVE THINGS OF THE FLESH.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO MAKE TELEVISION THEIR COUNSEL, AND WHO LOOK UPON VIOLENCE.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO BACKBITE, AND WHO MOCK AND SCORN MY TRUE WORKS AND WILL NOT REPENT.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO STAY UP LATE TO CHASE THINGS OF THE WORLD, AND WHO PUT ME LAST.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO LOVE THE WORLD AND WHAT IS IN IT! FOR, I DEMAND THAT YOU RENOUNCE THE WORLD AND ALL OF ITS EVIL MATTERS AND CONCERNS.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO LOOK UPON ANOTHER WITH EYES OF LUST, OR WHO COVETS, OR JEALOUSLY LONGS AFTER WHAT BELONGS TO ANOTHER.

I WILL MARRY NONE, WHO DO NOT PUT ME FIRST, KEEP ME FIRST AND LOVE ME ABOVE ALL, CHERISHING MY COMMANDMENTS AND OBEYING THEM ALL.

REPENT, OH, YOU BRIDE OF MINE! I WILL COME FOR A CLEAN BRIDE! AND, BE WARNED, THAT I COME VERY SOON AND BE WARNED ALSO THAT AT THIS TIME, AND FROM MY VANTAGEPOINT, SAVE MANY OF YOU GET CLEAN AND QUICKLY SO, I WILL TAKE AT THIS TIME FEW INDEED! FOR, FEW INDEED YOU ARE, WHO HAVE MADE YOURSELVES CLEAN! BUT, EVEN SO, IT IS NOT FOR ANY LACK OF WARNINGS THAT I AM COMING FOR MY BRIDE! I HAVE WARNED YOU! AND, THE TIME OF MY TARRYING IS FAST COMING TO AN END.

I am your Father Yahweh, yea Jehovah, Most High God, Jesus, Saviour, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

As witnessed, dictated and recorded this 21st day of January, 2009,

Linda Newkirk , You can read this complete article in http://Www.choothomas.com
Diana on July 8th, 2009 3:33 pm

Just wondering why Ps Kong need to include the blog entry of the certain pastor from megachurch in this article. I think Ps Kong will still be able to deliver his message across re the importance of the 10 commandments without including the statement from the megachurch pastor.

I have nothing against Ps Kong. I respect him, and I know he is a genuine man of God. I attend his church whenever I am in Singapore, love the atmosphere, love the excellence and the presence of God, But I believe Ps Kong knows very well that by including that statement , it will definitely trigger a chain of responses from members of the churches, like what is happening now.

Of course, we need the 10 commandments!!

My 2 cents’ worth
Confused on July 8th, 2009 4:39 pm

Hi Pastor, some churches are debating on Sabath day to kept only on friday evening till Sat evening. And that we should not worship on sunday. According to history & etc. etc. Will you be able to write articles about this issue.. Thank you
Frank Lee on July 10th, 2009 10:41 am

hi faith or charmaine,

If ever a pastor of a mega church wrongly anyhow say that Jesus is the brother of lucifier or that 10 commandment is outdated and not relevant to us, then I think its good that Pst Kong warn us mah. You don’t think so meh? like that not considered judging a person but differenitiating between right and wrong teachings.

Its his responsiblity to challenge these misleading claims as a good pst.

He also never mention names of which pst or which church…
already give face liao.

only those who attend the other church wld know, which is good, cos these are the people tt shld be alerted if the msg is wrong.

also, pst Kong got talk abt other churches in his sermon in a negative way meh? don’t anyhow say ok…

I go to his church for many years also never hear him mention pst or church names negatively. He always honors and speak well of other psts and churches.

u sure u got hear his sermons or not?
Melvin on July 10th, 2009 10:42 am

Hi Confused,

I do not speak for Pastor Kong, but I thought of sharing something that might help…

The purpose of the sabbath is for man to rest. In the gospel, the Pharisees challenged Jesus on the matter, and Jesus said the sabbath is made for men, not men made to honour the sabbath.

When God made heaven and earth and instituted a rest day, there was no calendar days yet, neither did God institute a fixed rest day throughout the bible. Therefore, I do not think there is a basis for any exact day that we must all be completely at rest.

Think about this…if everyone has to rest on a fixed day, does that mean on that day, we have no MRT, bus, police, soldiers, no public service? Nobody running the national generators, nobody at work, everything comes to a standstill, no electricity and water?

Therefore, we should not be legalistic as to the day/time to honour the sabbath. Based on culture, society differences, it may have to be adjusted.
confused on July 10th, 2009 9:28 pm

Hi melvin, thank you for the reply. Can you help me to search for the verse to support this statement you mention because I need to actually tell this friend of mine..

“The purpose of the sabbath is for man to rest. In the gospel, the Pharisees challenged Jesus on the matter, and Jesus said the sabbath is made for men, not men made to honour the sabbath.”

This friend of mine is really knowledgeable.
Thanks much
Isaac on July 10th, 2009 11:00 pm

Wow! that’s alot of comments. Anyway, when it comes to ten commandment, like what Pastor and the bible mentioned, It’s already encraved in our hearts. So no matter which pastor say what, or which christians do what, we all are able to differeciate right and wrong.
Although we may argue about our difference in practise, but we can all agree that the end product is that we all by right should be in line with the ten commandment and work towards holiness.
Let’s just face the fact, ALL of us are hypocrites, no use pointing at each other’s weakness, we’re all the same. We all miss out something and fail in something that we do that is not holy.
The purpose of our live here is to learn and improve ourselves. We do not become perfect and holy instantly just because we become christians and know what is the right thing to do.
We ALL know what is the right thing to do, but how many of us ALWAYS do the right thing?

So do we need the 10 commandments? of cos we do! All of us have not perfected it, and some are very far below standards, but that’s the reason why we need it! so we have a standard to work towards!
Thanks Pastor Kong!
Melvin on July 11th, 2009 11:35 pm

For ‘confused’.

Mark 2:27 (KJV)
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Stanley Tan on July 12th, 2009 6:47 am

Praise the Lord. Amazing similar message preached by Rev Dr A.R. Bernard. Linking my post in Plastic surgery and 10 commandments. Yesterday, Rev Dr A.R. Bernard touch on the issue of 10 commandments “Because it is difficult for mankind to keep all the 600 over commandments. So God did the work to compressed and shrink the many commandments into just 10 commandments so that it would be easier for manking to follow. If there is no 10 commandments, then grace is meaningless. When you commit sins, Lord Jesus forgive you by dying on the cross, this the grace that was given to you. Same thing, when someone wrongs you, and you forgive the person. You are extending your grace to him or her. So without law, there is no knowing of breaking the law, then the grace has got no meaning.”
He further explain about the 10 commandment “What is the top most important 10 commandment? You shall have no other Gods before me. That’s it, this is the commandment that connects everything. Adam eat the Fruit of knowledge, he disobeyed God. Is disobedience a sin? No disobedience is not a sin, it is the underlying motives or reason that cause the act of of disobedience that is the sin. Thus disobedience cause us to separate from God. The resultant is consequences and Effect.”
Pastor Kong Hee confirmed the existence of HELL during offering time when he talk about :-
“Lu:16:20: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Lu:16:23: And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Lu:16:24: And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Lu:16:25: But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.”
This was the message being used by someone to preach that there is no HELL, on hades and shoel. Praise the Lord, as I had already said and SMS to many people “The truth will stand by itself, it can be spoken openly in the public to anyone. But fakes can only be mentioned to people who would believe them, that is the mark of liars.”

The Lady sat beside me was speechless and amazed because before the sevice start, we get to introduce one another, so I told gave my Esharingportal.com name card and encourage her to participate as an Author to extend her sharing of blessing to people globally 24/7. I said to her that this website that I sponsored, don’t belong to me but I am just a cheap Steward, running for Lord Jesus, I said to her “My, latest article is Horses with No Name.” Lolz, I see her eyebrow joined together, like asking what is it about?, so I further explain. “This title was given to me by our H.S. after I posted in the Facebook.com about MJ, you know he went through many plastic surgeries to look like someone, sometimes want to be like Elizabeth. He has lots of money but didn’t spent wisely became a bankrupt. The world had make him, he never found his real self again. Well the article I wrote started off with Book of Genesis, Adam has God’s Wisdom, he was able to name every animal and call them by name. Then he sinned and his physical eyes are open but spiritual eyesight lost and he no longer can remember any animal’s name. So all the horses do not have name anymore. Then we go on to Book of Revelation, revelations of horses mentioned there. And eventually we will return victoriously with the Lord as White Horses with Name, the Bride.”
kin on July 20th, 2009 12:41 pm

1. “Jesus says so Himself: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matt. 5:17). The Greek for “fulfill” is pleroo which means to expand, establish, strengthen, make firmer and fuller.”

->I think you missed the elaborated meaning of pleroo which is “to render full, i.e. to complete,to carry through to the end, to accomplish,to carry into effect, bring to realisation.”
If you take this into consideration, it actually means that Jesus has perfected the law by completing it, carrying it through to an end.

2. “This is really what the new covenant is—to have the law written in our hearts. And the way God does that is through the Holy Spirit, who Himself gives us the power to obey them. ”

->I do agree with the above. So, since the Holy Spirit is the Teacher and Himself gives the power to obey the “laws God has written on our heart.”, then shouldn’t more be preached on listening to the Voice & Promptings of the Holy Spirit than on the Ten commandments? In fact, the Ten commandments wouldn’t even need to be preached if we establish that the Holy Spirit Himself will do it. We don’t have to do His work for him, unless we don’t trust that He can do it perfectly.
Puzzled on July 20th, 2009 2:08 pm

Looks like rather heavy demonstration of “lawless” in this Youtube video link. I suppose what Sun Ho is doing with her life is condoned as “lawful”. Kong Hee’s occupation as stated in this blog is “businessman” so why is he being referred to as Pastor Kong? Puzzled.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEL_vNiaauU
supporter on July 25th, 2009 12:40 am

I support Pastor Kong!

In fact, Pastor Kong has explained to us the wrong teaching of that pastor of that mega church, I have uploaded part of the sermon in you tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdOFW5oikvA

To Puzzled:
Please do not criticize Sun when you don’t know why she become a singer!
Disappointed on July 28th, 2009 4:11 pm

Dear Mr Kong. If you have a problem with the teaching of the pastor of that megachurch, please have the guts to name him and to speak directly to him about it personally or on the phone, rather than talk behind his back on your blog.

In any case, you have quoted him out of context by omitting the 2nd half of that paragraph:

“When you come under the law by trying to keep God’s commandments in order to be blessed, it will lead to death. There will be deadness in your marriage, ministry, health, career. But when you depend on the Spirit of grace, it will lead to life. You will see breakthroughs and miracles (Galatians 3:5) and manifest the fruit of the Spirit.”

There is a lost and dying world out there. Instead of arguing over theology, why don’t we walk in love, and love one another, as Christ as loved us? Isn’t that the new commandment He has given us in John 13:34?
guitarwu on July 29th, 2009 10:59 pm

Hi Disappointed,

Pst Kong is not writing behind his back. He publicly wrote about the article in World Wide Web! It’s quite obvious on who we’re talking about anyway. The article can be found once searched in google. Hehehe.

Usually as a man of God, not only he is concerned about the lost, but he also also concerned about the doctrines in the Body of Christ.

My stand is we really need the 10 commandments. =)
What’s yours?

Anyway, when we get saved, we want to be a better person right? The 10 commandments is what God has given to us as values to live by. Slowly but surely, by the grace of God, we will become better persons as we follow the 10 commandments.

Take care =D
BC on July 30th, 2009 10:46 am

Dear Kin…

I disagree with you on saying that “pleroo” means that Jesus has perfected the law by completing it, carrying it through to an end.

If you read the rest of the New Testament after Jesus has ascended to heaven, you find that the Ten Commandments are being taught all throughout the epistles. Just as Pastor Kong has clearly pointed out the references in the epistles:

Paul wrote to the Corinthians about the worship of only one God the Father (1 Cor. 8:6). He was teaching on the 1st Commandment.

John says to keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). He was teaching on the 2nd Commandment.

Paul wrote to Timothy to always honor the name of God (1 Tim. 6:1). He was teaching on the 3rd Commandment.

The writer to the Hebrews talks about entering into God’s rest of faith (Heb. 4:3-11). The writer was teaching on the 4th Commandment.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians to honor their father and mother (Eph. 6:2). He was teaching on the 5th Commandment.

John says don’t commit spiritual murder by hating your brother (1 John 3:15). He was teaching on the 6th Commandment.

To the Galatians, Paul listed adultery as the first work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19). He was teaching on the 7th Commandment.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians that “let him who stole steal no longer” (Eph. 4:28). He was teaching on the 8th Commandment.

Paul wrote to the Romans that they shall not bear false witness (Rom. 13:9). He was teaching on the 9th Commandment.

Paul wrote to the Colossians to put to death covetousness, which is really a type of idolatry (Col. 3:5). He was teaching on the 10th Commandment.

As such, we see that the 10 Commandments are extensively taught and practiced even after Jesus went to the cross.

The fact that these epsitles (which teaches the 10 Commandments) are include as the canon should also tells us that they are taught and practiced in the early church.

When the Church Fathers consider which writings are to be included in the canon, the books that finally were included in the canon were included because over the centuries Christians had come to use them in their worship and instruction and to revere them for the power they displayed in engendering, enriching, and correcting Christian faith. This criterion is known as regula fidei or “rule of faith”.

In other words, the early church consider this epsitles (which contain the teaching of the 10 Commandments) as their rule of faith.

As such, I stand by the 10 Commandments are still relevant today and should be taught and lived out.
TKH on July 30th, 2009 2:59 pm

Dear All,

After reading through the comments, I felt that we should remember the words of the Lord Jesus in Mathhew 24:12, “because lawlessness shall abound, the love of many will grow cold.”

Jesus was speaking concerning the end times, and we must realise that “lawlessness” will be the bigger problem in the end time. rather than legalism (even though legalism is also a bad problem). I think it is dangerous to excuse ourselves from the 10 commandments.

In fact, I think that if one experiences the grace of the Lord Jesus, he or she would have little problem in keeping the 10 commandments, because grace is the supernatural strength from God that enables to do His will.

just my thoughts …

TKH
Julius on July 31st, 2009 11:41 am

Dear Disappointed,

The purpose of this article is never about that other megachurch or the leader. It’s to educate readers and point out biblically the relevance and scriptural stance on the 10 commandments.

How do you know that Ps Kong has not spoken to the leader of the said megachurch? And in no way is this talking behind anyone’s back. It on the web, direct from Ps Kong himself, not some anonymous slanderer.

Implying that Ps Kong is of low morals and is resorting in cowardly slandering is uncalled for. It would now be ‘graceful’ for you to recognize your wrong language and apologize to him and the readers of the blog.

Regards,

Julius
LC on August 1st, 2009 6:05 pm

awesome article. 10 commandments are basic Christian living. All of us should live by it.

By saying that 10 commandments are not valid is like saying it is ok to be dishonoring to parents, all right to steal and fine to murder.

10 commandments reflect the state of our hearts. The righteous will love it and the sinners hate it. In any society or country, law breakers are afraid of the law and authority. The good citizens love the law as the law protects them.

let us love the whole word of God the way we love God.
Somebody on August 3rd, 2009 1:47 am

hey watcher,
get a life mate…… how others live their life its up to them… just life up to yours before talking about others yeah.
Watchman on August 6th, 2009 12:17 am

I was at the 20th Anniversary service (as well as the morning service). Didn’t anyone else notice something contradictory?
Tyson on August 7th, 2009 5:49 am

I was very encouraged to read this post by Ps. Kong Hee where he straightly deals with an issue in his own backyard. I was wondering about Singaporean Christians who tolerated such unorthodox teachings about grace and law. Yes, there is a time to hold our tongue, but there is also a time to speak out. I believe Christians who know the truth should gently correct those who have been led astray by wrong teachings about grace.

I also appreciated how Ps. Kong Hee cited Christian teachers through the last 2,000 years. Although we do not follow man-made tradition, it is important to realize that we must keep hold of the truth that was passed on to us. When someone preaches that Christians no longer have to search their heart for sin or confess their sin … that should definitely be a giant red flag of warning because it is against what orthodox Christians have held for 2,000 years.
Gennaro Cozzi on August 11th, 2009 6:54 pm

It is iteresting to say that the 10 Commandments are more then words, they are action, and our God is ACTION!!! I like to confront Rom. 13:8-10 (”Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. the Ten commandments,’Do not commit adultery’, ‘Do not murder’,'Do not steal’, ‘Do not covet’, and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbour as your self’. Love does not harm to its neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law”) with 1John 4:8 (”… because God is love”). Wouldn’t be that the Ten commandments do represent non other then God’s character? And His promise to write them on their hearts, a coming back home, when in Genesis 1:26 He made Man ” … in Our image, in Our likeness”? Mirroring Rev. 22:4 where ” …they (the saved) will have his name (symbolic of His character) on their foreheads (Symbolic of their mind, their character in likeness of Him)?
How great is our God the Almighty! Glory to Him through Jesus our God and Redeemer!
Thank You for give to me this opportunity.
(I would like to know better about the astonishing parallelism between Shan ti(? right spelling?) and God Jehova. It would be interesting for a work of mine – an apologetic work on Jesus)Thank you, may God bless you.
Malcolm Loh on August 23rd, 2009 8:31 am

http://rootss.blogspot.com/2009/08/you-want-revival-heres-how.html

You Want Revival? Here’s How…
Sunday, 23rd August 2009

Many churches around the world are experiencing stagnation and would like to see a revival in their congregation.

Well, there are two sure ways to cause a revival.

The first way is to preach the grace gospel unashamedly and radically. Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God unto the salvation of man (Rom 1:16). That is why we see churches like NewCre experiencing radical and phenomenal growth.

The second way is to preach the law, and in particular, the keeping of the Ten Commandments. You will likewise see a great “revival”… but this time around… it is of sin.

Before you shout “Heresy!”, may I refer to the following passage found in Rom 7

7 For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
8But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.
9Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.
10I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

Paul said that he would not have not what was covetousness until he was taught “You shall not covet”, and that his sinful passions were aroused by the law (Rom 7:5).

Before his Damascus experience, he was a Pharisee who knew every single one of God’s laws inside out. Yet, because back that he had then no revelation of what Christ had done for him, he was struggling to keep these laws and found that he ended up doing the things he was not supposed to and not doing things he was supposed to (Rom 7:15-20).

He only realised how deadly the law was after his conversion, and that is why he said that “the strength of sin is the law” in 1 Cor 15:58 and called it “the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones” in 2 Cor 3:7.

I had lunch with a fellow grace-believing brother three days ago, and he brought my attention to an article entitled “Do We Need the Ten Commandments? written by the senior pastor of a megachurch in Singapore. (I have extended courtesy in not naming this particular pastor because to his credit, he also extended courtesy in his article in not naming a pastor of another megachurch when making reference to him).

Well, the answer to that is it all depends.

If we want to life the victorious zoe life that Jesus has come to give, the answer to that is no, because in the New Covenant, God writes His commandments in our hearts, and not on stone.

If we want to experience what Paul experienced in struggling with the very sins that the law was supposed to help us to deal with, then go ahead and hold on to those Ten Commandments.

After all, God gives all of us free will.

As for me and my household, I choose the former.

As for that megachurch pastor, your intentions may have been good, but the approach is wrong. You should be exalting Christ of the New Covenant rather than the Mosaic Law of the Old. If you see a great “revival” in your congregation, please do not be surprised and blame God for it later on.
Man on August 24th, 2009 1:33 am

CHC really uses the Law well…. especially demonstrated by Pastor Kong’s wife.

Her hot MTV has turned many men ON, ….

the suggestive display / dance / poses must have brought to remembrance many men the Law that “thou shall not commit adultery” and since Jesus said under the Law, should your one eye sin, pluck out that eye, and should your hand sin (masturbates while seeing suggestive scenes) chop that hand off, these men would immediately repent lest their eye be plucked and hand be chopped …. but it’s so tempting, how to stop???

Oh wrecked men, who can deliver them?

Jesus can, and Jesus has.

Oh, thank you Pastor Kong, for allowing your wife Sun Ho to display the Law in such manner that many would “repent” for fear of God’s wrath of having their eye pluck and hand chopped, and turn to Jesus.

These men would not have turned to Jesus if not for Sun Ho, the way she has danced for the world.

Jesus should thank Sun Ho, and Pastor Kong, that many received Jesus.

Kudos to CHC, especially PAstor Kong and Sun Ho.
Evangelist Garry Pierre on August 25th, 2009 10:18 pm

It is sad to see how much brothers and sisters in Christ are playing the game of satan to destroy one another.
Pastor Kong is correct with his po
the commandments of God is needed because of sins and grace is needed because of sins. In order word because noone can tell about sin if the law is not transgressed and since the law help us recognize that we have sinned; therefore grace is there to allow us to come into repentance and ask for forgiveness.

Matthiew 5:17through19 : “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy but to fulfil”. Jesus did not come to eliminate the commands of His Father but to magnify them.

verse 18 is very important:” For verily I say unto you, TILL heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the LAW, TILL ALL BE FINISHED. Wow, Jesus was talking about His second coming because that would be the time you and I won’t need to obey because it will be judgment’s time. Heaven and earth have not passed yet. The question is when heaven and earth will pass?
The answer is in 2 Peter 3: 10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the HEAVENS shall pass away with great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the EARTH also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Revelation 20:11 ” And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Therefore it is wise for a true believer in Christ to keep God’s commandments the 10 not 9.
1 Johm 3:4 If anyone committeth sin transgresseth also the LAW: for sin is the transgression of the LAW please read the verse 5 and 6.
also in John 3:8 “he that committed sin is of the devil”
Please let us walk in obedience. About keeping the commandments please read verse 23 and 24 same chapter.

May the peace of God be with you!
Robin on August 27th, 2009 6:39 am

That other megachurch pastor that Kong speaks about is a pastor that I hold in very high regards, and his teachings has really explained many things in the Bible that I was previously confused about.

However, to those defending that megachurch pastor, shame on you, and shame on me too. Because that pastor himself has repeatedly said many times that he does not want to be defended, as God will be his defender. Besides, one thing I will always remember is how he said that we who are living under grace must be gracious people.

Granted, there will be many who oppose the teachings of grace but let them be.

What is important is that all of us are believers in the true savior – Jesus.

However, I have to say it was rather unprofessional for Kong to mention the megachurch pastor here and even quoting word for word the words in that article, because anyone could just copy and paste that phrase into Google and find out which pastor said that. In other words, Kong has made a very poor or no attempt to mask that pastor’s identity.

I respect Kong as I believe he is a man greatly used by God but I am very disappointed at the very unprofessional manner he used to indirectly attack the gospel that “that megachurch pastor” is preaching.

To Kong: None of us have the gospel 100% right. Only the Triune God does.
Robin on August 27th, 2009 6:42 am

By the way, James 2:10 says

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
Paul on August 31st, 2009 3:49 pm

:) so much arguments being said about JP and Kong…funny…

Lots of NCC people assume Kong is teaching saved by law, and many CHC people assume JP is teaching sinful lifestyle…both are wrong he..he..he…

I honestly think at the end of the tunnel, both preachers are actually teaching the same stuff: Saved by Grace and Obedience to the Law through the Power of the Spirit…

Probably, the only different is on the emphasis….JP puts lot of emphasis on the first part (saved by grace), while Kong emphasis obedience to the law through the power of the Spirit….

but ultimately both have the same objectives (saving people from hell) and both have been blessings to the world…thanks to both preachers from the bottom of my heart…

Paul
Stillhaventfound on September 3rd, 2009 5:13 pm

Paul,

New Creation Church and Pastor Joseph Prince do not believe that we are obliged to obey the Law (10 Commandments), but they do believe that we will obey it incidentally as we focus on Jesus and as the Spirit works in our life. The 10 commandments had a specific role in the history of redemption. In that sense, it’s not relevant to the Christian in the New Covenant. That doesn’t mean we can sin all we want. It doesn’t mean we don’t have to seek to be more like Jesus. The Apostle Paul exhorts us in many areas of the New Testament. These are imperatives we should follow, not the 10 Commandments. And as I’ve said before here and in my blog, many Christians (and some theological systems) hold the same view as New Creation as regards to the non-relevance of the 10 Commandments to the New Testament Christian.

Other than that, I agree with you Paul that both are closer to each other than it’s made up to be. A lot of times they (and their supporters) talk past each other – and assume a lot of things that the other side didn’t say. There is a great difference in emphasis, less so on actual doctrinal differences. No one is teaching that we can sin all we like and no one is teaching that we are saved by our obedience. There are still differences but it shouldn’t be to the extent that the body of Christ and the two biggest churches in Singapore are divided on this issue.
Stanley TAN on September 9th, 2009 12:17 pm

Matthew 5:27″You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’[e] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

These are the words of Jesus, has anyone supporting and abiding the Law done what they are told by Jesus? – gouge out an eye and cut off a hand? The description of sin is clear here, there is no compromise, are there really christian people who has not sin the above sins? why are there no actions taken based on the strict requirement of the Law? why the double talk?

Christian religion is really double-edged, heavy laden, a life of bondages and worst – bondages to the teachings of preachers called pastors.

Paul spent his life time preaching the Gospel of Christ, the Word of Christ and he also spend almost all his time writing epistles to correct, admonish, warn believers against all kinds of teachings other than the Word.
Stanley TAN on September 10th, 2009 9:12 am

“In a recent May 11, 2009 blog entry, a prominent megachurch pastor says, “When you come under the law by trying to keep God’s commandments in order to be blessed, it will lead to death. There will be deadness in your marriage, ministry, health, career.”

Please quote the full context, for the benefit of others the subsequent statement is this.

“But when you depend on the Spirit of grace, it will lead to life. You will see breakthroughs and miracles (Galatians 3:5), and manifest the fruit of the Spirit.”

See the difference it makes when this is read in the full context. Why would someone with a PhD pick and choose a statement from a full text, and using the statement just to prove a certain doctrine that he is pushing.
Aster on September 11th, 2009 1:46 am

well, i guess everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions and its up to you all to what u all want to believe. It’s ok to admit that you have been in the wrong or that your pastor did mention things that are wrong. God wants us to be humble and most importantly, to have the ability to discern between what is right and wrong. People are not perfect and everyone makes mistake, so I dont think we should be critical of anyone. Why dont we look to ourselves and check if we are living our lives as a Christian to other non-Christians out there rather than argue over whose church is better or whose pastor is better?
Malcolm Loh on September 13th, 2009 6:29 pm

Why Do People Break the Very Law They Preach So Strongly About?

Sunday, 13th September 2009

Over the past 2 days, I have been blogging about the fact that it was Paul, the apostle appointed by the resurrected Christ, who on numerous occasions in his epistles, tells us that the Law has been superseded by Grace.

Some preachers get very uncomfortable when they read passages such as Rom 7 and Gal 4. You mean to say the Ten Commandments, the very bedrock of what defines God’s standards, no longer apply to Christians? I remember feeling extremely disturbed when I first heard sermons like that myself. Being a Christian since I was 12, these types of messages went against the very foundation of my faith and truth be told, I was shaken.

It is probably because of this that many theologians rationalised by subdividing the Law into 3 parts:
(i) Moral — represented by the Ten Commandments
(ii) Civil — conduct and behaviour towards others
(iii) Ceremonial — the washing of utensils etc.

They argue that Jesus, via His establishing the New Covenant, has done away with the ceremonial laws. Through the courts, the civil laws are replaced. But the moral law remains.

But therein lies a problem.

Firstly, God did not subdivide His laws; man did. James says in Js 2:10 that anyone who broke any part of them was guilty of breaking them all. This is because the Old Covenant was meant to be one composite whole, one package deal.

Secondly, let’s study the following passage:

Romans 7
An Illustration From Marriage
1Do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to men who know the law—that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?
2For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.
3So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man.
4So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. 5For when we were controlled by the sinful nature,[a] the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.
6But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Here, Paul uses the illustration from marriage to tell us that we, now being married to Jesus, so to speak, should not have anymore dealings with our previous spouse, the law.

Those same theologians would argue that the law in this passage refers to the civil and ceremonial law, and not the moral law. But let’s read on…

7What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
8But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.
9Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.
10I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

Maybe the Holy Spirit could foresee that the church down through the ages would attempt to make such a distinction between moral, civil and ceremonial. So Paul gave an example about what he meant by “the law” by making reference to one of the Ten Commandments — “Thou shall not covet!”

Paul also mentions in 2 Cor 3:7 about “the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones”. Those of us who are familiar with the Bible will know that only the Ten Commandments were written and engraved on stone tablets. The civil and ceremonial laws were dictated to Moses. Hence, those who preach strongly on the Ten Commandments do not realise that they are ministers of death, killing you softly with those words :-)

Thirdly, how many of us Christians observe the Sabbath today, by not working between 6pm on Friday and 6pm on Saturday? Some have argued that it is a ceremonial law, but hey, it was one of the Ten Commandments. If God had meant for His laws to be subdivided into moral, civil and ceremonial, should He not have placed the Sabbath elsewhere? Unless, it was because He knew that there would come a time when man would arbitrarily subdivide them for Him that He deliberately placed this commandment amongst the other Nine?

Paul says in 1 Cor 15:56 that the strength of sin is the law, so the irony is that the more we try to keep them, the more we end up breaking them! In Rom 7, he wrote that he sincerely did not want to covet, but he ended up coveting!

Is it therefore not surprising that Rev Peter Koh committed intellectual theft when he plaigiarised that antinomian article, or when we read of that church elder who was supposed to rehabilitate prostitutes but ended up sleeping with them instead.

Dear friends, via the blood of Christ, God has put an end to the Old Covenant and superseded it with the New Covenant. Jesus even made that clear in one of His parables where He said that new wine should not be placed in old wineskins. Now His laws are written on our hearts. It is via His grace that we can live the victorious and abundant Christian life, and not via trying to keep the Ten Commandments. Amen?
Stanley TAN on September 16th, 2009 3:32 pm

Mark 10:
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18″Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[d]”

20″Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[e] to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
————————————————————————————–

Having taken a stand on the 10 commandments, has anyone here taken another step to sell all they have to follow Jesus?
sue on September 21st, 2009 4:54 pm

Pastors great posting ..For me christianity is just as simple as the love planted from god inside our heart.Most importantly is to know how to love people surrounding in everyday lifes.

I never read bible or even pray but god to me …is a sacrifies to love.In our life are we able to sacrfies to love.Is same goes to are we able to sacrifies life ,money ,self fishness to love.

Life come from nothing and go with nothing …just left the love planted in everyone heart.
thomas on September 27th, 2009 2:41 pm

Why most preacher want to call them Reverend by their members?
In the Bible the word “reverend” used only one time and this word used only for God and never mention in any of other Bible character…can you explain this?
A Christian whom Jesus loves on November 1st, 2009 2:51 pm

A reply Mr. Stanley Tan,

In Mark 10:17-24, why did Jesus give the man the Ten Commandments?

1, because he didn’t see Jesus as a Saviour. He saw Jesus as a “good teacher”. The man didn’t see his own inability to save himself. If He did, then he would have seen Jesus as His Saviour, and not a pattern to follow. So, of course it is appropriate for Jesus to give the Ten Commandments.

2, because Jesus saw that he was boasting on his own good works.

By the way, the same story can be found in Luke 18.

Another story from Luke 19, one chapter after the above story. Jesus met Zaccheus and visited his house. To a Jewish, it is considered a great honour for someone as respected as Jesus to visit his house. Despite the fact that Zaccheus was a tax collector, Jesus showed him PURE GRACE simply by visiting and eating at his house.

Now, why do think the Holy Spirit put these two stories back to back in Luke 18 and 19? He wants us to see the difference between law and grace.

In Luke 18. What was the result? After given the Ten Commandments, the man walked away sorrowful, and didn’t even give one cent out of his pocket.

In Luke 19. What was the result? Grace opened up Zaccheus’ wallet. All of a sudden he became very generous. Half of his riches, he would give to the poor. All the people that he had cheated, he would repay four times.

One more thing, is there anywhere in the Ten Commandments where it says, “Give”? Isn’t it a much deeper revelation to be able to give generously?

Grace, and I am talking about PURE GRACE, will CAUSE us to accomplish much more (including obeying the Ten Commandments) than those who insist on the Ten Commandments alone. There is no way the Ten Commandments will be able to make Zaccheus did what he did. Only PURE GRACE could. It is even implied from the above storied that the Ten Commandments might make us to be stingy.

So, I think, it is not a matter of, “Is the Ten Commandment still for today?” Honestly, I don’t care at all.

The question we should ask is, “WHICH OF THE TWO (the Ten Commandments and grace) WILL CAUSE YOUR LIFE TO ACCOMPLISH SO MUCH MORE?” “WHICH OF THE TWO WILL CAUSE YOU TO GO AN EXTRA MILE OF DOING SOMETHING THAT EVEN The Ten Commandments NEVER COMMANDS YOU TO DO?”

From the stories, it is almost as if the Ten Commandments are hindering us taking that extra mile in our Christian life. So, I don’t think “balance” is good at all. Why would I want something that can hinder me from accomplishing much more?

Those who rely NOT on the “balance”, but the PURE GRACE of GOD are the ones who are going to be accomplishing so much more in their Christian life (including fulfilling the Ten Commandments).

~ From a Christian whom Jesus loves the most ~
lady on November 2nd, 2009 4:02 pm

This is one of Prince’s sermons on ten commandments. Look under Hagar & Sarah #6. I think this is the reply.

No doubt his preaching has been a blessing to many, I have many reservations on some parts of his teachings.

http://www.imeem.com/sgdavid/playlist/T5Go70nL/pastor-joseph-prince-sermon-music-playlist

Scriptually he is right most of the time, but NOT all of what he says is true (not referring just to ten commandments). It is encouraging to hear at best.
matthew on December 11th, 2009 7:42 pm

test
tngfamily on January 30th, 2010 11:46 pm

You know the law and yet you did not keep it…Thou shall not covet!!!!

Didn’t Jesus said of the Pharisees?????